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' ELEMENTS 



HISTORY, 



^^ri^liiiSmiSS^i^'!^!^^'^''^'^^''^'^'''''''' 



ANCIENT AND MODERN. 



By JOSEPH E. WORCESTER, LL. D. 



A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 




29 COKNHILL, J 

1864. 



Hz.! 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, l^ 

J. E. WORCESTEB, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachti3ett* 

City of Boston, 
In School Co?nmiltee, April 9, 1850. 
ORDEEEr, That Worcester's History be substituted for " Par- 
ker's Outlines of History," as a Text Book for the Grammar 
Schools. 

Attest, 

S. F. McCLEARY, Jr., Secretary. 

The new f^dition of Worcester's History has also l^-en adopt- 
ed in the Grammar Schools of the cities of Worcester. Salem, 
Caitnbridge, Roxbury, and many other cities and towns in all 
parts of the country. It is also required in the examination of 
candidates for admission into the Freshman Class at Harvard 
College. 



^- "yN^ranafe^ v 
Engineers School LIby. 
JuiHe 29,1931 



PREFACE. 



The first edition of this work was published in 1826, 
accompanied by an Historical Atlas. The Elements of 
History and the Atlas were designed to be used to- 
gether each being materially incomplete without the 
other. But as it is necessary that books used in most 
of the schools in this country should be furnished at a 
very low price, the expense of the Atlas was, in many 
cases, an obstacle to the use of the work ; and after the 
Elements and Atlas had passed through a number of 
Impressions, an edition of the book was prepared in 
such a form that it might be used without the Atlas. 
Tliis was accomplished by folding in the volume the 
Chart of General History^ and also by inserting a se- 
ries of Tables of History^ which, in a measure, supply 
the place of the Charts or Tables of History in the 
Atlas. 

The method of using the work will be found sin> 
pie and easy. After the student has attended to the 
three short sections on the Uses,, Sources,) and Di- 
visions of History,, it is recommended that he should 
study carefully the Chart of History ^ with the use of the 
Description, Blustrati&n, and Questions. (See page 333.^ 



IV PREFACE. 

By this means he will have the general outlines of 
history, with the periods of the rise and fall of the 
principal states and empires, impressed on his mind; 
and by having thus gained a comprehensive view of 
the whole ground, he wUl be prepared to study the 
particular parts with greater advantage. The Tables 
of Grecian, Roman, French, English, and American 
History are designed to be attended to in connection 
with the portions of the volume relating to the history 
of Greece, Rome, France, England, and the United 
States respectively. 

The outlines of history may be acquired with in- 
comparably greater facility by the use of Charts and 
Tables, than by the perusal of volumes, independently 
of such aid ; and, what is of great importance, the 
information thus obtained wiU be so impressed on 
the mind, as to be much more durable than if acquired 
by any other method. By means of them one may 
easily trace the rise, progress, revolutions, decline, and 
fall of states and empires ; see what states have 
been contemporary, and what have existed at differ- 
ent periods ; take comprehensive views of the whole 
ground of history, and comparative views of the par- 
ticular parts; mark the succession of the different dy- 
nasties and sovereigns in the different kingdoms and 
empires ; learn the leading events of the several reigns 
and of different ages, and observe the periods when 
tne most illustrious persons have flourished. 

But for a knowledge of the internal condition and 
aistory of a state, the particular details of events, with 



PREFACE. 



their causes and consequences, and the exploits of in- 
dividuals who have figured upon the theatre of the 
world, recourse must be had to other sources of infor- 
mation. In order, therefore, that the study of history 
may be pursued to the best advantage, and a proper 
attention be paid to the connection both of time and 
of subject, the use of charts should be united with that 
of historical narrative. 

As it would be impossible, in a volume of the size 
of this, to trace a regular series of events relating to all 
the states and empires that have floiirished in the 
world, the chief attention of the author has been paid 
to a few of them, — those of which the history is of the 
greatest importance, particularly to American students, 
— namely, Greece and Rome in ancient history, and 
France, England, and the United States, in modern 
Brief notices, however, of various other states have 
been given, and also some short treatises on topics of 
importance in an introduction to the study of his- 
tory, and useful in preparing the student for the perusal 
of more extended historical works. 

In the preparation of the Elements, the author has 
endeavored to unite so much of reflection with the de- 
tails of facts, as to assist the reader in forming correct 
views of the causes and consequences of events; and 
in order to render the work more interesting, he has, in 
some instances, introduced short anecdotes and memo- 
rable observations of distinguished men on important 
occasions. 

E\ ery one, much conversant with history, must be 



Vi PREFACE. 

aware of the frequent and often great diversity in the 
accounts given of the characters of men and events, 
even by authors of reputation. This diversity is to be 
attributed partly to the pecuHar principles and preju- 
dices of the historians, and partly to the contradictory 
statements in the original sources of history. 

As the line of truth is, in so many cases, obscure and 
difficult to be discovered, the author cannot hope that 
he has in no instances fallen into error. It has, how- 
ever, been his object to follow the best guides, and to 
give true impressions of the character of persons and 
transactions, so far as they came under review ; but as 
information has been derived from such a multiplicity 
of sources, it would be impossible for him, were it de- 
sirable, to give a complete enumeration of his author- 
ities. 

This little work has passed through numerous edi- 
tions, and has received a large measure of the public 
approbation and patronage. It has now been revised, 
somewhat enlarged, better fitted to be used indepen- 
dently of the Atlas, and the historical information 
brought down to a recent date. The author hopes 
that it wUl be found, in its present form, less unwor- 
thy of the favor with which it has been received. 

Caubbidge, December, 1849. 



CONTENTS. 



ELEIMENTS OF mSTORY 



XJaES OF HiSTOBY 

Sources of History 
Divisions of History 



FAQX 

1 

3 

. 4 



ANCIENT mSTORY. 

Egypt 7 

The Ph(enician9 10 

Assyria and Babylon II 

Persia ........ ... IS 

Greece: — 

Section I. The Country and the People 15 

II. The History of Greece divided into Periods . . .16 

III. The Fabulous Age : Foundation of Cities and Institu- 

tions: Argonautic Expedition .... 17 

IV. The Heroic Age: Trojan War: Return of the Hcraclidae 18 
V. Sparta or Lacedsemon : Institutions of Lycnrgus . 20 

VI. Athens : Codrus : Draco : Solon and his Institutions : 

Pisistratus: Pisistratidae 22 

Vll. Greece invaded by the Persians nnder Darius: Battle 
of Marathon: Miltiades: Persian Invasion under 
Xerxes: Themistocles : Aristides: Battle of Ther- 
mopylae: Leonidas: Battles of Salamis, Plataea, 

and Mycale: Cimon 24 

Vlli. Peloponnesian War : Pericles : Alcibiades : Battle of 
^gos-Potamos : Lysander : Thirty Tyrants : Soc- 
rates: Retreat of the Ten Thousand: Peace of 
Antalcidas : Thebes: Epaminondas: Battles of Lenc- 
tra and Mantinea: Agesilaus .... 30 
IX. Philip of Macedon: Sacred War: Battle of Chaero- 
nca: Alexander the Great: Conquest of Persia: 
Battles of the Granicus, Issus, and Arbela: Alex- 
ander's Death 34 

X. Alexander's Successors: Demosthenes: Phocion: De- 
metrius Phalereus: Achaean League: Philopoemen: 
Subjugation of Macedonia and of Greece . . 40 

XI. Grecian Antiquities 44 

Chronological Table of Grecian History . . .51 

Chronological Table of Grecian Literature . • 52 

Stria under the Seleucidje 53 

EorPT UNDER THE PtOLEMIES 65 



nil 



CONTENTS. 



Bomb : — 

Section I. Roman History : roundation of Eome : Romulus : Nu- 
ma : Tullas Ilostiliixs : Ancus Martius : Tarquimu8 
Priscus : Servius Tullius : Tarquinius Superbus, — 
expelled, and the regal Government abolished . 58 
n. The Coinmomvealtk : — Consuls, Collatinus and Bnitus : 
Valerius: Porsenna: Dictator: The Plebeians en 
camp on Mens Sacer : Tribunes : Coriolanus : Law 
of Volero : Cincinnatus : The Twelve Tables : De- 
cemvirs : Appius Claudius ..... 61 
m. Military Tribunes: Censors: Veil destroyed: Camil- 
lus : Rome burnt by the Gauls : Brennus : Manlius : 
The Samnites: Pyi-rhus : Conquest of Italy . .66 

IV Carthage and Sicily 69 

V. First Punic War ; Regulus : Second Punic War ; Han- 
nibal : Conquest of Macedonia : Third Punic War ; 
Carthage desti'oyed : Conquest of Greece . . 70 
VI. The Gracchi : Jugurtha : Social War : Mithridates : 
Marius and Sylla: Servile War: Conspiracy ol 

Catiline 75 

Vn. First Triura^nrate: Civil War of Caesar and Pompey: 
Second Triumvirate : Dissolution of the Common- 
wealth ... 78 

VIH. Eome under the Emperors: — The Caesars; Angnstus, 
Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, 
Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian . 86 

IX. Nerva: Trajan: Adrian: Antoninus Pius: Marcus 

Aurelius Antoninus ... ... 91 

X. From Commodus to Constantine .... 94 

XI. From Constantine to the Extinction of the Western 

Empire 96 

Xn. The Ivingdom of the Heruli, of the Goths, and of the 
^^ Lombards. — The Eastern Empire, to its Extinction 99 

Xm. Roman Antiquities 101 

Chronological Table of Roman History, No. 1 . . 108 

y Chronological Table of Roman History, No. 2 . 109 

Chronological Table of Roman Literature . .110 

THE MIDDLE AGES Ill 

The Arabs or Saracens 112 

The Feudal System 117 

The Crusades 119 

Chivalry 124 

MODERN HISTORY 13J 

France : — 

Section 1. Merovingian Kings: — Charlemagne, &c. . . 133 

n. Capetian Kings, — from Hugh Capet to Philip VL of 

Valois 136 

ni. Branch of Valois —Philip VI. j John IT.; Charles V.; 
Charles VLj Charles VII.; Louis XI.; Charles 

VIII 139 

IV. Louis XII. ; Francis I. ; Henry H. ; Fi-ancis 11. ; Charles 

IX. ; Henry HI 142 

V. House of Bourbon — Henry IV. ; Louis XIH. ; Louis 

XIV. . 147 



CONTENTS. ix 

Fbance : — 

Section VI. Louis XV. ; Louis XVL : — The Revolution . 152 
Vll. The Revolution continued : — Robespierre ; Bonaparte ; 
European War : Bonaparte dethroned, aud the Bour- 
bon Family restored 157 

Vin. Louis XVlli. ; Charles X. : — Revolution of 18.30 ; Louis 
Philippe: — Revolution of 1848; Republican Con- 
stitution; Louis Napoleon, President . . , 166 
Chronoloj,acal Table of French History, No. 1 173 

Chronological Table of French History, No. 2 . .174 
England: — 

Section I. The History of England : The Roman Conquest : Tte 

Saxon Conquest : The Heptarchy . . . 175 
n. From the Foundation of the Monarchy under Egbert 

to the Nomian Conquest 177 

in. Tlie Norman Family: — William I., the Conqueror; Wil- 
liam II.; Henry I.; Stephen .... 180 
IV. Family of Plantai/ftiet : — Henry II. , Richard I. ; John ; 
Henry III. ; Edward I. ; Edward U. ; Edward III. ; 

Richard II 182 

V. Branch of Lancaster : — Henry IV. ; Henry V. ; Hen- 
ry VI 192 

VI. Branch of Ybri ; — Edward IV.; Edward V.: Richard 

UI 195 

Vn. The Tudor Family : — Henry VII.; Henry VIIL; Ed- 
ward VI.; Mary; Elizabeth .... 197 
Vin. The Stuart Family: — James I.; Charles I.: — The 
Commonwealth ; Cromwell : — Charles II. ; James 
II.; William and Mary; Anne .... 206 
IX. House of Brunswick: — George I.; George II. ; George 

HI., George IV.; William IV.; Victoria . . 221 
Table of the History of England, No. 1 . . . 227 
Table of the History of England, No. 2 . . . 228 
Cbronological Table of English Literature . . 229 

Remarks on the Tables 230 

European States . 231 

Scotland 231 

Germany 232 

Austria 234 

Spain 235 

Portugal 237 

The Netherlands 238 

Poland 239 

Sweden 240 

Denmark 241 

Prussia 242 

Russia 243 

Rome 244 

Turkey 245 

Sovereigns of Germany, Spain, Sweden, Prussia, and 

Russia 247 

Names distinguished in Italian, French, Spanish, Ger- 
man, &c., Literature 248 

Remarks on the preceding Table . . . c 249 



X LUiNTENTS. 

Ambbica. — Discovery and Settlement : — Columbus, Americas, 
Cabot, &c. : Conquest of Mexico and Peru } — Cortes, 
Pizarro, &c .251 

The United States: — 
Section L Settlement and Early History of the Colonies : — Vir- 
ginia ; New York ; Colonies of New England ; In- 
dian Wars ; Maryland ; Pennsylvania . 259 
n. Oppressive Measures relating to the Colonies: French 
Wars ; Capture of Louisburg ; Expedition against 
New England ; Conquest of Canada . . . 271 
m. Disputes between Great Britain and the Colonies ; Com- 
mencement of Hostilities ; Battles of Lexington and 
Bunker Hill ; Declaration of Independence . 277 
rV. Revolutionary War continued: — Battles of Brooklyn, 
White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Bennington, 
Brandywine, Germantown, Stillwater; Surrender 
at Saratoga ; Battles of Monmouth, Rhode Island, 
Camden, Cow-Pens, Guilford, p]utaw Springs ; Sur- 
;'^, render at York to^vn: — Independence acknowledged 287 
* V. The Army disbanded: The Constitution formed: Wash- 
ington's Administration: Adams's Administration 298 
VI. Jerterson's Administration: Madison's Administration; 
War with Great Britain : — Monroe's Administration : 
Ailams's Administration ..... 303 
Vn. Jackson's Administration : Van Buren's Administra- 
tion : Harrison: — Tyler's Administration: Polk's 
Administration; War with Mexico: — Taylor: — 

Fillmore's Administration 313 

ViLL. Pierce's Administration : — Kansas : — Buchanan's Ad- 
ministration : — Lincoln, — Secession. — From A. D. 

1853 to 1861 326 

Chronological Table of the History of the United 

States 333 

Events of the Revolutionary War .... 334 

Chronology of Improvements 335 

Distinguished Americans 336 

Population of the United States .... 337 
CHART OF HISTORY. — Description and Illustration . . 339 

CHRONOLOGY 345 

Chronological Table 347 

SACRED HISTORY 349 

Chronological Table of the Kingdoms of Israel and 

Judah 850 

Chronological Table of the Kingdom of Israel, or the 

Ten Tribes 351 

Eras in Modern History 352 

Chronological Table of Intentions 353 

QUESTIONS adapted to the Use of the Book . . . .855 



ELEMENTS OF HISTORY. 



USES OF HISTORY. ^ 

1. History is a narrative of past events. TJie study of it j 
s attractive both to the young and the old, to the unreflecting : 
and the philosophical mind. It combines amusement of the., j 
deepest interest ; the exercise and improvement of the besft^is 
faculties of man ; and the acquisition of the most important 
species of knowledge. I 

2. History, considered merely as a source of amusement, | 
h;is great advantages over novels and romances, the perusal ' 
of which too often debilitates the mind by inflaming the 
imagination, and corrupts the heart by infusing what may | 
justly be regarded as moral poison. Like works of fiction, j 
history serves to amuse the imagination and interest the pas- \ 
sions, not always, indeed, in an equal degree ; yet it is free 
from the corrupting tendencies which too often belong to 
novels, and has a great superiority over them, inasmuch as ' 
it rests on the basis of fact. 

3. The love of novelty and of excitement is natural to man ; 
hence the general taste for history, though its details are not 
unfrequently painful. It affords a melancholy view of human 
nature, governed by the baser passions ; and is to a lament- 1 
able extent, little else than a register of human crime and I 
calamity, of war and suffering. 

4. A higher use of history is, to improve the understanding i 
and strengthen the judgment. It has been styled philosophy | 
teaching by example, or mora' philosophy exemplified by the i 
lives and actions of men. It adds to our own experience an i 
immense treasure of the expeiience of others, and thereby 
enable us to enter upon the business of life with the advan- j 
lage of being, in a manner, acquainted with it. ' 

1 I 



2 USES or HISTORY. 

5. It makes us acquainted with human nature, and enables 
us to judge how men will act in given circumstances, and to 
trace the connection between cause and effect in human affairs. 
It serves to free the mind from many narrow and hurtful prej- 
udices ; to teach us to admire what is praiseworthy, v/herev^r 
it may be found ; and to compare, on enlarged and liberal 
principles, other ages and countries with our own. 

6. History may be regarded as the school of politics, and, 
as such, some knowledge of it is indispensable to rulers and 
statesmen ; it is also highly important to every citizen of a rc- 
p iblic, in order to enable him to perform, in a manner honor- 
able to himself and useful to the community, the duties of o 
freeman. By history we gain our knowledge of the constitu- 
tion of society ; of the reciprocal influence of national charac- 
ter, lav/s, and government ; of those causes and circumstances 
which have promoted the rise and prosperity, or the decline 
and fall, of states and empires. 

7. History shows us past ages, triumphs over time, and pre- 
sents to our view the various revolutions which have taken 
l^lace in the world. It furnishes us with the wisdom and ex- 
perience of our ancestors, exhibits their living actions, and 
enables us to profit by their successes and failures. It teaches 
us what has been done for the melioration of mankind by the 
wisdom of Greece and Rome, by modern literature and sci- 
ence, by free government, and by true religion. 

8. It tends to strengthen the sentiments of virtue. In its 
faithful delineations, vice always appears odious, and virtue 
not only desirable and productive of happiness, but also favor- 
able to true honor and solid glory. The reader of history 
learns to connect true glory, not with the possession of wealth 
and power, but with the disinterested employment of great 
talents in promoting the good of mankind. 

9. True history has numberless relations and uses as an ex- 
hibition of the conduct of Divine Providence ; and it presents 
nvuuerous instances in which events, important to the welfare 
of the human race, have been brought about by inconsiderable 
means, contrary to the intentions of those who were the prin- 
cipal agents in them. 

10. A knowledge of history has a tendency to rendei us 
contented with our condition in life, by the views which it ex- 
hibits of the mstability of human affairs. It teaches us thai 
the highest stations are not exempt from severe trials ; that 
riches and power afford no assuranci; of happiness ; and tha^ 
Uie greatest sovereigns have not unfrequently been rr.ore mia- 
erable than their meanest subjects. 



SOURCES OF HISTORY. 



SOURCES OF HISTORY. 

Some of the principal sources of history, independent of 
authentic records, or the narrative of those who were C(»n- 
temporary with the events which they relate, are the follow 
ing: — 

1. Oral tradition. From this source Herod'otus derived 
tlie greater part of his history. It existed before the invention 
of the arts of writing, carving, and painting. 

2. Historical poems. These are common among all barba- 
rous nations. The Hiad and Od'yssey of Homer were re- 
garded by the Greeks as of historical authority ; and they 
comprise the only history extant of wh^ is called the heroic 
age of Greece. 

3. Visible monuments, as pillars, heaps of stones, and mounds 
of earth, are used to perpetuate historical events among a bar- 
barous people. 

4. Ruins, as those of Egypt, and of the cities of Balbec, 
Palmy'ra, Nin'eveh and Persep'olis, are lasting memorials of 
the power, opulence, and taste of the builders. 

5. Giving names to countries, toions, 8fc., has been used, in 
ad ages, as a method of perpetuating the memory of their 
planters or founders. 

6. Coins and medals are of great use in illustrating history, 
chronology, geography, and mythology, as well as the man- 
ners and customs of the nations of antiquity. These, however, 
belong to a people of some refinement. Ancient coins have 
been found buried in the earth at various times, in consider- 
able quantities. Vast numbers are now preserved belonging 
to different ages. The most ancient of those of which the an- 
tiquity can be ascertained belong to the 5th century before the 
Christian era. 

7. Inscriptions on marbles. The most celebrated collection 
of marbles, made use of for the illustration of ancient history, 
is that which is now in the possession of the University of 
Oxford, in England, and which was brought from Greece by 
the earl of Arundel, and fi'om him called the Arundeliati 
Marbles. 

8. The most important of these inscriptions is the Chronicle 
of Pathos, which contains the chronology of Athens from the 
time of Cecrops, B. C. 1582, to B. C. 264, at which latter 
period it is supposed to have been compiled. The authority 
of this Chronicle has been called in question by a number of 
learred men ; but it has been supported by Tiany others, and 



4 DIVISIONS OF HISTORY 

the clironology of Greece, at present most generally received, 
has been, in a great measure, founded upon it. 

9. The Hieroglyphics^ Paintings, and Sculptures which yet 
remain on the ruins of Egypt and Assyria, the greater part of 
which have been but recently discovered, and only partially 
deciphered, have added largely to our knowledge of the his- 
tory, manners, and customs of the ancient inhabitants of those 
countries. 



DIVISIONS OF HISTORY. 

1. History, with respect to time, is divided into Ancient and 
Modern. 

2. Ancient History is the history of the world from the 
creation, to the establishment of the New Empire of the West 
under Charlemagne, A. D. 800. Modern History embraces 
all the time subsequent to that period. 

3. Some historians, however, adopt the Christian era, and 
others the subversion of the Western Empire of the Romans, 
A. D. 476, for the dividing point between Ancient and Modern 
History. 

4. A third division of history, which is often considered as 
distinct from ancient and modern, is that of the Middle Ages. 
This period comprises about a thousand years, from the 5th to 
the 15th century ; or from the subversion of the Western Em- 
pire of the Romans to that of the Eastern Empire. 

5. The Middle Ages embrace the time intervening between 
the extinction of ancient literature and the appearance of mod- 
ern literature. During this period Europe was sunk in igno- 
rance and barbarism ; hence it is often styled the Dark Ages. 

6. Ancient History is distinguished by the four great mon- 
archies o? Assyria or Babylon, Persia, Greece or Macedonia, 
and Rome. 

7. The Middle Ages are characterized by the origin and 
progress of Mahometanism and the Saracen Empire, the preva- 
lence of the Feudal System, the Crusades, and Chivalry. 

8. Modern History is distinguished by the invention of gun- 
powder, and the consequent change in the mode of ivar ; the 
discovery o^ America, and the extension of commerce ; the in- 
vention of the art of printing, the revival of learning, and the 
diffdsion of knoioledge ; also by the reformation in religion, and 
a variety of other improvements in the state of society. — The 
last half ceniary has been characterized by important political 



DIVISIONS OF HISTORY. 5 

revoJui ions and movements in society, resulting in the overthrow 
of absolute monarchies^ and in the establishment of democratic 
or liberal principles of government, in place of arhiirary oi 
despotic principles ; in the progress of various sciences, the 
multiplication oi^ books and periodical publications, and a wide 
diffusion of intelligence among the masses of the people; in 
great improvements in the mechanic arts, and the applicalioa 
of steam-power to machinery; and in the formation of numer» 
ous benevolent societies, which have for their object the prcpa- 
gation of Christianity, the alleviation of the suffering, the 
amelioration of the condition and the elevation of the character 
of the human race. 

9. History, with regard to the nature of its subjects, is di- 
/ided into Sacred and Profane, Ecclesiastical and Civil. 

10. Sacred History is the history contained in the Scrip- 
tures, and it relates chiefly to the Israelites or Jews. Profane 
History is the history of ancient heathen nations, and is found 
chiefly in the writings of the Greeks and Romans. Ecclesias- 
tical History is the history of the Church of Christ, or of Chris- 
tianity, from its first promulgation to the present time. Civil 
History is the history of the various nations, states, and em- 
pires, that have appeared in the world, exhibiting a view of 
their wars, revolutions, and changes. 

11. Sacred History goes back to the remotest period of time, 
and commences with an account of the creation of the world, 
which, according to the Hebrew text of the Scriptures, took 
place 4004 years before the Christian era ; according to the 
Samaritan text, 4700 ; according to the Septuagint, 5872 ; and 
according to the computation of Dr. Hales, 5411. The com- 
putation according to the Hebrew text, which gives 400 1 from 
the creation to the Christian era, and 1656 from the creation to 
the deluge, is the one commonly received in English literature 
though the correctness of it is now generally called in question 
by learned men. 

12. The modern science of Geology, which has brought to 
light a vast number of important and interesting facts previ- 
ously unknown, has produced a conviction among men of sci- 
ence that the origin of the earth is to be ascribed to a period 
far more remote than has been heretofore supposed, and the 
most learned Christian divines have adopted a mode of inter- 
preting the Mosaic account of the creation which is in accord, 
ance with this opinion. 

13. The earliest profane historian, whose works are extant 
is Herod'otus, who is styled the Father of Histoiy. His his 
lory was composed about 445 years B. C, and comprises ever}'- 
thing which he had an opportunity of learning respecting the 

1* 



6 DIVISIONS OF HISTORY. 

Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, lonians, Lydians, Lycians, and 
Macedonians, from about the year 713 to 479 before the Chris- 
tian era. 

14. With regard, therefore, to all the preceding ages of the 
world, which, reckoning from the- creation to the time when 
the narrative of Herod'otus begins, comprise, according to the 
common chronology, nearly 3300 years, there exist no docu- 
ments, with the exception of the Scriptures, really deserving 
the name of history. The accounts which have been given 
of the events of this long sei"ies of ages, comprising more than 
half of the time which has elapsed since the origin of the hu- 
man race, were drawn up by writers who lived long after the 
transactions of which they treat, and were compiled from scat- 
tered records, fragments, and traditions. 

15. Our knowledge, of course, of the early history of the 
world, the first settlement of the different poi^ions of it, the 
primitive state of society, and the progress of mankind in the 
remotest ages, is extremely limited. The Scriptures are the 
only authentic source of information on these subjects. The 
facts which they record, though not sufficiently numerous to 
satisfy curiosity, are yet, in the highest degree, interesting and 
important. 

16. Some of the most remarkable events, previous to the 
commencement of profane history, recorded in the Bible, are 
the creation of the world, the fall of man, the deluge, the dis- 
persion of mankind at Babel, the planting of different nations, 
the cell of Abraham, the deliverance of the Israelites out of 
Eg3 pt, and their settlement in Canaan. 

17. The histories of Ch'eece and Rome are far the best 
known, most interesting, and most important portions of 
ancient profane history. 

18. There is much obscurity hanging over the history of 
the Middle or Dark Ages. 

19. The portions of history best known are those which re- 
late to modern civilized nations, during the last three centuries. 



[The Chart of History, which is found in this volume, 
together with the Description and Illustration, heginning 
with the 333rf page, may now he advantageously attended to.] 



[For some remarks on Sacred History, and Tables of thA 
History of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, see pages 348t 
344 W 345.] 



EGYPT. 



EGYPT. 

1. Egypt holds a conspicuous place in history, on account 
of its great antiquity and early attainments in the arts. It hius 
been styled the cradle of the sciences, and it claims the lienor 
of the invention of the art of writing. At a period when 
Greece and Italy were immersed in barbarism, Egypt could 
boast of arts, learning, and civilization. It was the principal 
source from which the Greeks derived their information , 
and, after all its windings and enlargements, we m;iy still 
trace the stream of our knowledge to the banks of the Nile. 

2. It is a matter of regret that we have the means of ob- 
taining but little knowledge respecting the ancient history of 
Egypt. The early dynasties of the kingdom are involved in 
obscurity, and history throws little light on the building of its 
most ancient cities, or the construction of those magnificem', 
monuments, which show to how high a state of improvement 
the inhabitants, at a remote period, had carried the arts, and 
which still continue to be objects of admiration and astonish- 
ment. 

3. The mo?t celebrated of these works of ancient grandeur 
are. Lake Mmris, an immense artificial reservoir ; the Laby- 
rinth, an enormous structure of marble, built under ground ; 
the Catacombs, or Mummy -pits, subterraneous galleries, of 
prodigious extent, appropriated to the reception of the dead 
and the Pyramids, a wonder both of the ancient and the 
modern world. 

4. The glory of Thebes, a city of Upper Egypt, famous for 
its hundred gates, the theme and admiration of ancient poets 
and historians, belongs to a period prior to the commence- 
ment of authentic history. It is recorded only in the dim 
lights of poetry and tradition, which might be suspected of 
fable, did not such mighty witnesses to their truth remain. 

5. Before the time of Herod'otus, Memjyhis had supplanted 
Thebes, and the Ptol'emies afterwards removed the seat of em- 
pire to Alexan'dria. Sirabo and Diodo'rus described Thebes 
under the name of Dios'polis, and gave such magnificent d(>- 
scriptions of its monuments, as caused their fidehty to be called 
in question, till the observations of modei-n travellers proved 
their accounts to have fallen short of the reality. 

6. The place of alphabetic writing was supplied, in ancient 
Egypt, by those rude pictures of visible objects, known by the 
name of hieroglyphics, a multitude of which are still fouud 
scfAlptured on the I'emains of her ancient temples, obelisks 
and other monuments 



8 EGYPT. 

7. The researches of Champollion, and various other lea' ned 
men of the present century, have succeeded, to some extent, in 
deciphering these hierogl5'phics. By means of this interpre- 
tation, great additions have been made to our knowledge of the 
history of Egypt and the manners and customs of its people. 

8. It appears that the Egyptians were a mixture of races, 
differing considerably in color and organization, the lower 
classes having dark skins and frizzled hair, while the upper 
ranks possessed light complexions and agreeable features, 
The predominant color of the population, however, seems to 
have been brown or yellow. The nation was divided into 
seven strictly defined hereditary castes, eacli of which had its 
peculiar rank and privileges. Th?. priests and soldiers formed 
the two highest castes. Then fohowed the agriculturists, the 
traders, the mariners, and the artisans. The lowest caste was 
that of the shepherds, who were held in general detestation. 

9. The government was an hereditary monarchy, in which 
the power of the sovereign was limited by established forms 
and usages, and by the influence of the priestly caste. The 
Kings, or Pharaohs, as they were called, belonged exclusively 
to the caste of soldiers, until, at a late period in the decline of 
the monarchy, a priest named Sethos usurped the crown. 

10. The laws of Egypt appear to have been few, and gen- 
erally, as far as known, founded in justice. The punishments 
for crimes against the person were more severe than for crimes 
against property. Murder was punished with death, as was 
also the witnessing a murder without endeavoring to prevent 
it. A child who killed his parent was tortured, and then burnt 
alive ; while a parent who killed his child was only imprisoned 
for three days with the dead body. Debtors were not im- 
prisoned, though the creditors could seize their goods ; nor 
could a debt, without a written acknowledgment to prove it, 
be recovered at law, if the person from whom it wae claimed 
denied it upon oath. 

11. Every person, not excepting the king, was, immedi- 
ately after his death, subjected to a trial, in order to determine 
whether he was worthy of funeral rites. His whole life passed 
in review, and, if pronounced virtuous, his embalmed body 
was, with various marks of honor, deposited in a sepulchre, 
which was often constructed at great expense ; but if his life 
had been vicious, or if he had died in debt, he was left un- 
buried, and was supposed to be deprived of future happiness. 

12. The Egyptians from an early period maintained a regu- 
lar standing army, a large and important portion of which con- 
sisted of warriors who fought in chariots. Their troops were 
well armed and organized, and were levied by conscription, 



EGYPT. 9 

jke the armies of most countries of flurope it the present 
day. The bow was considered the national woapon, and was 
used with great force and skill by the Egyptians. 

13. The first king of Egypt known in history was Menes 
whose capital was the city of This in Upper Egypt. Under 
his successors, the monarchy flourished for several hundred 
j'cars until it was overthrown by an invasion of the Hyksos, a 
race of wandering shepherds, whoso origin is uncertain, though 
many learned men suppose them to have been Scythians. 
'J'he Hyksos, or Shepherd Kings, as they are sometimes called, 
held possession of the greater part of Egypt for a period \ari- 
ously estimated at from two to nine centuries, at the expira- 
tion of which they were expelled by force of arms, and a na- 
tive monarch again placed on the throne. 

14. The most distinguished of the Egyptian kings was Ram- 
eses the Great, who by the Greeks was called Sesostris. He 
was a mighty conqueror, and subdued nearly the whole of 
Western Asia, with some of the adjacent countries of Europ". 
On returning from his foreign expeditions, he employed him- 
self in enlarging and beautifying the chief cities of his king- 
dom. Some of the magnificent temples and palaces which he 
erected ai-e yet standing, and on their walls are sculptured 
representations of his principal achievements. 

15. Other celebrated kings were Osirtesen I., who is sup- 
posed by some writers to have been the Pharaoh that received 
Joseph ; Thothmes IV., in whose reign the Hyksos were finally 
expelled ; and Amenoph III., who conquered Nubia and erected 
the famous vocal statue of Memnon. 

16. The next sovereign who is particularly distinguished in 
history was Nechus, or Pharaoh-NecJw. He patronized navi- 
gation, and fitted out a fleet which sailed round Africa. He 
made war upon the Medes and Babylonians, and defeated 
Josiaht king of Judah, in the battle of Megiddo. 

17. In the year B. C. 525, at the commencement of the 
Teign of Psammeni'tus, the Persians^ under Camby'ses, in- 
vaded Egypt, and laid siege to Pelu'sium. Taking advan- 
tage of the Egyptian superstition, the invaders placed in front 
of their army a variety of dogs, cats, and other animals, which 
were held sacred by the besieged } and the Egyptians not 
daring to injure the sacred animals, the Persians entered Pe- 
lusium without resistance. Soon after, Camby'ses took Mem- 
phis, and reduced Egypt to a province of the Persian mon« 
archy. 

18. It was easily wrested from the sway of Persia by AleX' 
ander the Great ; after his death, it fell to the share of Ptol'e 
tntf ; and under him and his successors of the same name 



10 THE PHCExNlCIANS. 

Egypt regained her ancient lustre, and rose to a height la 
science and commerce which no other part of the world then 
equalled. 



THE PHOENICIANS. 

1. The Phcenicians were among the most remarkable and 
most early civilized nations of antiquity ; yet there is no com- 
pleie jr regular history of them extant : occasional notices of 
them, however, are found iji the Scriptures, and in the Greek 
historians. Scmconi'athon, a Phoenician historian, is supposed 
by some to have flourished about the time of Jo^'hua ; but of 
his work only a few fragments remain ; and the genuineness 
of even these is considered as very doubtful. 

2. The inhabitants of Phoenicia, who are styled Ca'naanites 
m the Scriptures, were a commercial people in the time of 
Abraham. Tyre and Sidon, their princial cities, were two of 
the most ancient we read of in history ; and, in remote ages 
they were the most considerable seats of commerce in the 
world. 

3. The Phoenicians were the reputed inventors of glass, 
Durple, and coinage ; the invention of letters has also been at- 
tributed to them, as well as to the Egyptians ; and to Cadmus 
IS ascribed the honor of having first carried letters into Greece. 

4. The Phoenicians sent out a number of colonies to Cyprus, 
Rhodes, Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain ; and the founda- 
tion of Carthage is attributed to Dido, sister of Pygma'Uon^ 
king of Tyre, with a company of adventurers. Tyre suffered 
two memorable sieges and captures ; the first by Nebuchad- 
nezzar, and the second by Alexander the Great. 



ASSYRIA AND BABYLON H 



ASSYRIA AND BABYLON. 

1. Assyria, the first of the four great empires of antiquity, 
derived its name fx'om Ashur, the son of Shem, and the re- 
puted founder of Nineveh, its chief city. The foundation of 
Babylon is ascribed to Nimrod, '"'ho was the grandson of Ha7n, 
and con'idered by many the ^ame as the Belus of profane 
historians. These two cities are supposed to have been found- 
ed near the same time, and not long after the dispersion of 
Babel. But of their history, for many ages after their found 
ation, very little is known with certainty, and the accounts 
given of them by ancient authors are inconsistent with each 
other. 

2. It is commonly supposed that Assyria and Babylon were 
originally distinct kingdoms, and so continued till Niyius con- 
quered Babylon, and annexed it to the Assyrian empire. Ac- 
cording to Dr. Gillies, however, only one monarchy existed at 
the same time, but divided into three great eras ; the first com- 
mencing with Nimrod, when Babylon was the seat of empire ; 
the second with Ninus, whose capital was Nineveh ; and the 
third beginning after the death of Sardanapa'lus, when Bab- 
ylon again became the metropolis. 

3. Ninus and Semir'amis are the hero and heroine of the 
old Assyrian and Babylonian chronicles ; but the account given 
of them appears to partake more of fable than of credible his- 
tory. So great is the uncertainty respecting them, that differ- 
ent historians and chronologists differ no less than a thousand 
years with regard to the time when they flourished. 

4. Ninus IS represented as a great and powerful sovereign, 
and is said to have enlarged and embellished the city of Nin- 
eveh. After havmg made extensive conquests, he espoused 
Semir'amis, who succeeded him in the throne. She is de- 
scribed not only as surpassing all her sex in wit and beauty, 
but also as possessing unbounded ambition, and extraordinary 
talents for government and war. She enlarged Babylon, and 
rendered it the most magnificent city in the world ; and, after 
a reign of great splendor, was succeeded by her son Ninyas. 

5. From the time of Ninyas to the overthrow of the mon- 
archy, under Sardanapa'lus, a period of several centuries, 
little or nothing is known respecting the history of Assyria and 
Babylon. 

6. The name of Sardanapa'lus is almost a proverbial re- 
proach. He is said to have so degraded himself as to adopt 
the dress and occupations of a female, and to have passed his 



12 ASSYRIA AND BABYLOw. 

life in the most disgraceful effeminacy and voluptuousness, it 
the company of his wives and concubines. At length Arba 
ces, governor of Media, and Bel'esis, a priest of Babylon, dis- 
gusted with his inglorious and shameful life, excited a rebellion 
against him. After sustaining a defeat, Sardanapa'lus, in order 
to avoid falling into the hands of the conquerors, set fire to 
his palace, and burnt himself, together with his women and all 
his treasures. 

7. The empire was then divided into three kingdoms, among 
the three conspirators, Arbaces becoming king of Media, Bero* 
sis of Babylon, and Pul or Phul of Assyria. 

8. The successors of Pul were, 1st, Tig'lath-pi-le'ser, who 
took possession of that part of the kingdom of Israel which 
was east of the Jordan; 2d, Shalamane'ser, who put an end to 
the kingdom of Israel, and carried the inhabitants captive , 
3d, Semmch'erib, who laid siege to Jerusalem, in the time of 
Hezeki'ah, but was compelled to return in disgrace, 185,000 
men of his anrvy being destroyed in a miraculous manner in 
one night ; 4th, Esarhad'doti, who defeated Manas'seh, king 
of Judah, and carried him captive to Babylon. 

9. Not long after the death of Esarhad'don, Nabopolas'sar, 
or Nebuchadnez'zar, having got possession of Babylon, being 
assisted by Cyax'ares, king of Media, besieged and destroyed 
Nineveh, put an end to the Assyrian monarchy, and made 
Babylon the seat of empire. 

10. He was succeeded by his son, Nebuchadnezzar II., who 
took Jerusalem, and carried the Jews captive to Babylon. He 
had a long and signal reign, some particulars of which are re- 
corded in the book of Daniel. 

11. During the reign of Bclshazzar, who succeeded to the 
throne a few years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, the 
Persians, under Cyrus, after a siege of two years, having 
turned the course of the Euphrates, entered the city through 
the dried channel, and took it while the inhabitants were en- 
gaged in feasting and I'iot. Belshazzar was slain, and with 
hi'm ended the empire of Babylon. 

12. Ai'ter its conquest by the Persians, Babylon gradually 
declined, until in a few centuries no vestige of its grandeur re- 
mained, and even tradition was unable to point with certainty 
to the place where it had stood. Modern European travellers 
have, however, at length clearly identified its site, which, in 
accordance wirh the prophecies of Scripture, has been for ages 
a howling wilderness, covered with shapeless ruins, and in- 
habited only by wild beasts and venomous reptiles. 

13. Nineveh, which, as before related, was burnt by the 
Medes, never revived from its ashes. In course of time, its 



ITJlSiA. 13 

/uins were entirely covered with earth, so that a few huge 
mounds, clothed with vegetation, alone narked its site. In 
1845. these mounds were explored by Luyard, an English 
traveller, who discovered extensive remains of palaces and 
other edifices, which had been buried nearly 2500 years. 
He found also sculptures and inscriptions of great interest, 
which throw much light on the manners and customs of its 
inliabitants, and on some points of its history. 



PERSIA 



1. Persia was the second of the four great empires of antiq. 
uity. Its history, prior to the reign of Cyrus the Great, is in- 
volved in obscurity and fable. It was oi-iginally called Elam^ 
and the inhabitants Elamites, who were descendants of Shem. 
In the earlier ages it was of small extent ; but under the reign 
of Cyrus, who was the founder of the great Persian empire, it 
became the most powerful and extensive sovereignty on the 
globe, comprising Persia, Media, Parthia, Assyria or Babylonia 
Syi'ia, and Asia Minor ; and to these Egypt was added by 
Camby'ses. 

2. For the histoiy of Persia, from the reign of Cyrus to the 
overthrow of the empire by Alexander the Great, we are in- 
debted chiefly to the Greeks. In the account of the same pe- 
riod by the writers of modern Persia, there is much of fable, 
and a total neglect of dales, and the names of the sovereigna 
are ditferent from those given by the Greek historians. The 
narratives of these two classes of writers differ in many mate- 
rial points. The Greek authors, though they throw a veil of 
doubt over their records by their exaggerations, especially 
where the honor of then- own country is concerned, are, never ^ 
iheless, esteemed as entitled to superior credit. 

3. Cyrus is described as possessed of great talents, both as 
a warrior and a sovereign. Having subdued all the nations 
from the?.Eg3e'an sea to the Euphra'tes, he, together with his 
uncle, Cyax'ares II., king of the Medes, took Babylon, and con- 
quered the Assyrian empire. Cyax'ares dying soon after, 
Cyrus reigned sole monarch over the united kingdoms, during 
seven years ; in the first of which he published the famous edict 
for the return of the Jews and the rebuilduig of Jerusalem. 

4. Herod'otus, Xen'ophon, and Cte'sias, in their accounts of 
the character and h story of Cyrus, diifer in many particularsi. 

2 



14 



PERBJA. 



That of Xen'ophon has been followed by Hollin and other mod« 
"erns; yet it is supposed to have been the design of Xen'ophon 
not to exhibit a faithful record of facts, but to delineate the 
model of a perfect prince and a well-regulated monarchy. 

5. Cyrus was succeeded by his son Carnby'ses, a cruel 
tyrant, whose principal exploit was the conquest of Egypt. 
On his death, Smerdis usurped the crown ; but after a reign of 
seven months, he was assassinated, and Dari'us was elected 
sovereign. It was the army of the latter that invaded Greece, 
and was defeated at Mar'athon. The history of Persia, from 
this time till the overthrow of the monarchy, is much connected 
with that of Greece. 

6. Darius was succeeded by his son Xerxes L, who made 
the second great invasion of Greece, and suffered a series of 
defeats, with immense losses. He left the empire to his son, 
Artaxerx'es J., who had a long and peaceful reign. 

7. The other two principal sovereigns were Artaxerx'es II. ^ 
during whose reign Xen'ophon made the famous retreat with 
10,000 Greeks, and Dari'us Codom'anus, the last sovereign of 
ancient Persia. The latter was defeated by Alexander, and 
with his death the ancient Persian empire terminated. 



Kings of Ancient Persia. 

[The figures denote the commencement of the reign of each.] 



B.C. 

536. Cyrus the Great. 

529. Cambyses. 

522 Smerdis. 

521. Darius Hystaspis. 

485. Xerxes. 

464. Artabanus. 

464. Artaxerxes I, Longimanus 



425 Xerxes II. 

424. Sogdianus. 

423. Darius Nothas. 

404. Artaxerxes Mnemon. 

358. Artaxerxes III. Ochus. 

337. Arses. 

336. Darius Codomanus. 



GREECE. 16 



GREECE. 

SECTION I. 

Greece — the Country and the People. 

1. Greece, the most celebrated country of antiquity, was of 
very inconsiderable extent, scarcely exceeding in size the half 
of the state of New York. It was bounded on all sides by the 
sea, except on the north, where it bordered upon Macedo'nia 
and Epi'rus.* Its general aspect is rugged, but its climate is 
highly propitious ; and no other country of antiquity was so 
favorably situated for holding commerce with other ancient 
nations. 

2. This country occupies but a speck on the map of the 
world, yet it fills a space in the eye of taste and philosophy 
incomparably greater than the mightiest empires that have 
overshadowed the earth. The inhabitants were renowned 
above all other ancient nations for genius, learning, and at- 
tainments in the arts ; and they have been the teachers of all 
succeeding ages. Whatever, therefore, relates to Greece, is 
rendered peculiarly interesting by numerous associations. 

3. Greece comprised numerous small, independent states, 
which were more commonly designated by the name of their 
chief city, than by that of the country or province. These 
states differed from each other in their forms of government, 
and the character and manners of the people. But, for their 
mutual defence, they were united in a confederacy by- the 
council of the Arnphic'tyons, as well as by a common language 
and religion, and by various public games, to which, in time of 
peace, they all resorted. 

4. The only form of government in Greece, in the early 
ages, appears to have been limited monarchy ; but, in process 
of time, monarchy was abolished, and republican forms were 
everywhere prevalent. 

5. The history of these little republics is calculated to awaken 



* Greece, in its most extensive sense, included Macedonia and Epi'rus, 
countries anciently inhabited by a people of similar origin, language, and 
religion, but not recognized by the Greeks as a part oi" their body, princi- 
pally on account of their less advanced civilization, and because they re- 
tained the rude monarchy of early ages, wliile Greece was divided into 
small republics. The Greeks also established colonies in Thrace, Asia 
Minor, Italy, Sicily, &c. ; so that they were widely spread over territories 
beyond the limits of the country which is properly styled Greece. 



16 GREECE. 

perpetual and powerful interest. They underwent many reyo« 
lutions, and were frequently engaged in war with each other, 
as well as with foreign nations ; so that their history presents 
scenes continually new and shifting, and abounding in those 
strange and sudden reverses which agitate and interest the 
mind of man. 

6. Greece was called by the natives Hellas, and the inhab- 
itants Hel-le'nes ; but, by the poets, they were often called 
Dan'ai, Pelas'gi, Argi'vi, Achi'vi, Achcz'i, &c. The original 
inhabitants, generally considered as the descendants of Jai^an, 
the son of Japhet, were extremely barbarous, living in caves 
and huts, feeding upon acorns and berries, and clothing them- 
selves with the skins of wild beasts. 

7. In this state of hopeless barbarism was Greece, when it 
was visited by a colony of Egyptians under Cecrops, and 
also by one of Phce?dcians under Cadmus, who are reputed to 
have brought to the country the first rudiments of civilization. 



SECTION II. 

The History of Greece divided into Periods. 

1. The history of Greece may be distinguished into two 
general divisions : — 1st, the period of uncertain history, ex- 
tending from the earliest accounts of the country to the first 
war with Persia, in the year B. C. 490; 2d, the period of au- 
thentic history, extending from the Persian invasion to the final 
subjugation of Greece by the Romans, B. C. 146. 

2. The first period, according to the most geneially received 
chronology, reckoning from the foundation of Si9'yon, the 
most ancient kingdom of Greece, comprises the space of about 
1600 years. This long succession of ages is involved in ob- 
scurity and fable. There are no records relating to it that 
really deseive the name of history; and the accounts which 
have been given of its events were drawn up by writers who 
lived long after the transactions of which they treat, and who 
possessed few materials for authentic history. 

3. This period may be distinguished into four subdivisions, 
which are marked by some peculiar historical features : the 
1st, reaching from the earliest accounts of Greece to the Tro- 
jan war, B, C. 1184, a period which may be termed, by way 
of eminence, the fabulous age; the 2d, extending from the ex- 
pedition against Troy to the death of Homer, a period gener* 
ally called iht heroic age^ of which the only history is con* 



GREECE. 17 

lained in the poems of the Tl'iad and Od'yssey , the 3d, com 
prising the space of time from the death of Homer to the death 
of Lj^curgus, a period which has been denominated the era oj 
revolutions, of which scarcely any species of history exists ; 
the 4th, reaching from the death of Lycurgus to the fii'st inva- 
sion of Greece by the Persians, a period which has been styled 
the era of traditionary history, possessing a considerable de« 
gree of credibility. 

4. The second general division, the period of authentic hiS' 
tory, extends from the first invasion of Greece by the Persians 
to 'ts final subjugation by the Romans, a period of 344 years. 
Tho history of this portion is luminous, and connected beyond 
that of any other portion of pagan antiquity, having been re- 
corded by writers of the greatest ability, who were contempo- 
rary with the events which they relate, and many of whom 
bore a distinguished part in them. 

5. This period also may be divided into four parts, distin- 
guished rather by political than historical characteristics : the 
1st, reaching from the Persian invasion, B. C. 490, to the com- 
mencement of the Peloponnesian war, a period of 59 years, the 
era of Grecian unanimity and triumphs ; the 2d, extending 
from the beginning of the Peloponnesian war to the accession 
of Philip of Macedon, B. C. 360, a period of 71 years, the era 
of civil wars and intestine commotions among the states of 
Greece ; the 3d, reaching from the accession of Philip to the 
death of Alexander the Great, B. C. 324, a period of 36 years, 
distinguished by the entire ascendency of Ch~eece, oi rather oj 
Mag'edon, over Persia; the 4th, extending from the death of 
Alexander to the final subjugation of Greece by the Romans, 
B. C. 146, a period of 178 years, the era of degeneracy , turbu- 
lence, and ineffectual struggles for independence. During the 
greater part of this period, the destinies of Greece were di- 
rected by foreign influence, and were placed successively 
under the protection of Macedonia, Egypt, and Rome. 



SECTION III. 

Fabulous Age: Foundation of Cities and Institutions. 
Argonautic Expedition. 

1. The fabulous age comprises the period of the foundation 
of the principal cities, the commencement of civilization, the 
introduction of letters and the arts, and the establishment of 
the most celebrated institutions of the country. 
2* 



18 6REECE. 

2 Sip'y-on, the most ancient city, is said to have been foiuid 
ed by Mgi'alus ; Argos, by In'achus, the last of the Titans ^ 
Ath'ens, by Ce'crops, an eminent legislator, with a colony from 
Egypt ; Theies, by Cadmus, a Phoenician, who is said to have 
first introduced letters into Greece ; Cor'inth, by Sis'yphus , 
Myce'nce, by Ptr'seus ; and Lacedcz'mon, by Lelex. 

3. Some of the memorable events of this period were the 
deluges of Og'y-ges and Deuca'lion ; the institution of the 
Olym'pic, Isth'mian, Pyth'ian, and Neme'an games; of the 
laws of Minos in Crete, the court of Areop'agus, the Ehttsin'' 
ian mysteries, the Oracle of Delphi, and the council of the 
Amphic'tyons. This period also embraces the marvellous ex- 
ploits of Her'cules, The'seus, and other fabulous heroes. 

4. The first great enterprise recorded of the Greeks was the 
Argonautic expedition, the account of which appears to partake 
much more of fable than of history. It was commanded by 
Jason, the son of the king of lol'chos, accompanied by about 
fifty of the most illustrious young men of Greece : among these 
heroes were Her'cules, The'seus, Castor and Pollux, Or'pheus^ 
the physician Mscula'pius, and the astronomer Chi'ron. 

5. They sailed from lol'chos, in Thessaly, to Col'chis, on 
the eastern shore of the Euxine sea ; and they were called 
Ar'gonauts from their sailing in the ship Argo, which is said 
to have been the first sea-vessel ever built. This famous voy- 
age, which was probably a piratical expedition, is commonly 
represented to have been undertaken for the purpose of recov- 
ering the golden fleece of a ram, which originally belonged to 
their country. The fleece is pretended to have been guarded 
by bulls that breathed fire, and by a dragon that never slept. 



SECTION IV. 

The Heroic Age : Trojan War : Return of the Heraclldce, 

1, The heroic age has been compared to the age of chiv. 
lary ; and there has been supposed to exist a striking resem- 
blance between the manners ond sentiments of the Greeks of 
that period and those of the Gothic nations of Europe in the 
Middle Ages, except that the latter displayed more generosity 
in war, and more gentleness to the female sex, than the former. 

2. The history of the Trojan war rests on the authority of 
Homer and forms the subject of his Biad, the noblest poem 



GREECE 19 

of antiquity, which presenls a lively picture of the Grecian 
character and manners at th.s early period. 

3. Helen, the daughter of Tyn'darus, king of Sparta, was 
reputed the most beautiful woman of her age, and her hand 
was solicited by the most illustrious princes of Greece. Hei 
fathei bound all her suitors by a solemn oath, that they should 
abide by the choice that Helen should make of one among 
tliem and, should she be stolen from the arms of her hus- 
band, that they would all assist, with their utmost strength, to 
recover her Menela'us was the favored individual, and, after 
his nuptials with Helen were celebrated, Tyn'darus resigned 
the crown to his son-in-law. 

4. Paris, the son of Priam, king of Troy, a powerful city 
fo mded by Dar'danus, having adjudged the prize for superior 
beauty to Venus, in preference to Juno and Minerva, was 
promised by her the most beautiful woman of the age for his 
wife. Soon afterward he visited Sparta, and was received 
with every mark of respect by king Menela'us ; but he abused 
the hospitality which was shown him by persuading Helen to 
elope with him to Troy, and, together with her, carried off a 
considerable treasure. 

5. This act of treachery and ingratitude produced the Tro- 
jan war : a confederacy was immediately formed by the prin- 
ces of Greece, agreeably to their engagement, to avenge the 
outrage. A fleet of about 1,200 open vessels conveyed ar 
army of 100,000 men to the Trojan coast. Agamem'non 
king of Argos, brother of Menela'us, was chosen commander' 
in-chief Some of the other most celebrated princes, who dis- 
tinguished themselves in this war, were AchiVles, the braves; 
of the Greeks, Ajax, Menela'us, Ulys'ses, Nestor, and Dio- 
me'des. 

6. The Trojans were commanded by Hector, the son ol 
Priam, assisted by Paris, Deiph'ohus, ^ne'as, and Sarpe'don. 
Afer a siege of ten years, the city was taken by stratagem, 
pa.ndered, and burnt to the ground. The venerable king Pri- 
am was sla'n; and his family was led into captivity. 

7. About eighty years after the destruction of Troy began 
the civil war of the Heracli'dce, usually called the return of 
the Heracli'diB into Peloponne'sus. 

8. Hercules, sovereign of Myce'nce, a city of Peloponne'- 
sus, was banished from his country, with all his family, while 
the crown was seized by At'reus, the son of Pelops. Aftei 
the period of a century, the Hcracli'dns, or descendants of 
Her'cules, returned to Peloponne'sus, and, having subdued 
all their enem 3s, took possession of the country. A part of 



20 GRjiECE. 

the inhabilauts were reduced to slavery ; the rest, beii.g ox< 
pelled, retired to Asia Minor, and possessed themselves of a 
country afterwards called Ionia. 

9. This revolution in Peloponne'sus not only changed the 
inhabitants and government of the country, and established 
new divisions of the Greeks, but checked the progress of the 
arts and civilization. 



SECTION V. 
Sparta or Lacedmnon : Institutions of Lycurgus. 

1. The two leading states of Greece were Athens and Spar- 
ta^ the latter distinguished for military valor and discipline, 
the former for literature and the arts. Their different char- 
acters and habits were formed, in a great degree, by the in- 
stitutions of their respective legislators, Lycurgus of Sparta, 
and Solon of Athens. 

2. Sparta, or Lacedse'mon, was the capital of Laconia, in 
the southern part of Peloponne'sus. After the return of the 
Heracli'dse, its government was administered by the two sons 
of Aristode'7m(.s, who reigned jointly, and this double monar- 
chy was transmitted to the descendants of each for many ages. 

3. Lycurgus, the celebrated Spartan legislator, was the broth- 
er of one of the kings ; and, on the death of the sovereign, he 
became protector. The government of Sparta being now in 
the greatest disorder, Lycurgus, in whom, on account of hia 
great abilities and integrity, the highest confidence was re- 
posed, was intrusted with the duty of reforming the constitu- 
tion. 

4. He wrought an entire change in the form of government, 
and in the manners of the people. He instituted a senate of 
28 members, elected from the nobles. The two kings were 
continued, but were nothing more than hereditary and presid» 
ing members of the senate, generals of the army, and high 
priests of the nation. He divided the territory of the republic 
into 39,000 shares among all the free citizens. 

5. Commerce was abolished, the distinction of diess an- 
nihilated, the use of gold and silver prohibited, and iron 
money substituted in their place. All the citizens, not' ex- 
cepting even the kings, were required to eat at the public ta- 
bles, where all luxury and excess were to be avoided, black 
broth being the principal article of food. 

6. Everv citizen was t) be wholly devoted to the service of 



GREECE. 21 

the state, whether in peace or war. Infants, as soon as born, 
were carefully inspected, and those that were well formed 
were delivered to public nurses ; and at the age of seven 
years, they were introduced into the public schools, where 
they were all educated on the same plan. Those that were 
deformed or sickly, were exposed to perish. 

7. Letters were taught for use, but not for ornament ; and 
the Spartans, while they wer.e distinguished as a shIe^^■d and 
sagacious people, were never eminent for lear-ning , and no 
book has been transmitted to modern times written by a gen- 
uine Spartan. DifFuseness of language and conversation was 
discountenanced, and the Lacedaemonians were noted for theii 
concise or laconic speech. 

8. The young were taught especially to respect the aged, 
and to cherish an ardent love of their country ; they wera 
formed to a high principle of honor, and to great sensibility 
to app.ause and to shame. They were early inured to hard ■ 
ship, were accustomed to sleep on rushes, and were supplied 
with only plain and scanty food ; but they were encourag^^d to 
steal whatever they could, provided they accomplished the theft 
witV.out being detected. 

9. The institutions of Lycurgus were well adapted to im- 
press on the people a character completely artificial, by stim- 
ulatmg some feelings and principles to excess, and almost 
eradicating others ; but they were not calculated to promote 
either happiness or goodness. The system was, however, in- 
geniously contrived to render the Spartans a nation of soldiers ; 
by them war was considei-ed the great business of life, and it 
was their highest ambition to be terrible to their enemies. 
The heroic virtues or qualities, such as patriotism, public spir- 
it, courage, fortitude, and contempt of danger, suffering, and 
death, were cherished ; while all the softer virtues and domes- 
tic affections were sacrificed. 

10. Young women, as well as young men, were trained to 
athletic exercises. The manners of the Lacedaemonian women 
wore locse and indelicate. They were destitute of the virtues 
which most adorn the female character, modesty, tenderness, 
end sensibility. Their education was calculated to give them 
a masculine energy; to render them bold, hardy, and coura- 
geous; and to fill them with admiration of military glory. 
Mothers exulted when their sons fell honorably in battle. 
" Return with your shield, or on your shield," said a Spartan 
mother to her son, when he was going to meet the enemy ; that 
is, " conquer or die." 

11. The government of Lacedse'mon acquired solidity, while 
th^ other states were torn bv internal dissensions. For the 



22 GREECE. 

long period '"'" 500 years, the institutions of Lycurgus con- 
tinued in fore , the power and influence of Sparta were fell 
throughout Greece ; and for a considerable part of that period 
her glory eclipsed that of the other states. 

12. But in process of time, the severe manners of her war- 
riors were relaxed ; and during the administration of some of 
her later kings, changes were introduced into the laws an-i 
histitutions, particularly in the time of Lysan'der, whose con- 
q-jests filled his country with wealth, and opened the sources 
of luxury and avarice. 



SECTION VI. 

Athens : Codrus : Draco : Solon and his Institutions : PisiS' 
trains : Pisistratidce, 

1. Athens, the capital of At'tica, was the most celebrateS 
city of Greece. It was distinguished for its commerce, wealth, 
and magnificence ; it was the chief seat of learning and the 
arts ; and it was the birthplace of many illustrious men. 

2. The last king of Athens was Co'drus, who, in the war 
with the Heracli'dse, sacrificed himself for the good of his 
country. After his death, the regal government was abolished, 
and the state was governed by magistrates, styled ardions. 
The office was at first for life ; afterward it was reduced to 
a period of ten years ; at last it became annual, and was di- 
vided among nine persons. 

3. The first code of written laws which the Athenians, pos- 
sessed was prepared by Draco, a man of stern and rigid tem- 
per. These laws punished all crimes with death ; and, on 
account of their sanguinary character, are said to have been 
\vritten in blood. Draco being asked why he was so severe 
IQ his punishments, replied, that " the smallest crimes de- 
served death, and he had no higher unishment for the great- 
est." But the great severity of these laws prevented their 
being fully executed. 

4. The celebrated Solon, one of the seven wise men of 
Greece, being raised to the archonship, was intrusted with the 
care of framing for his country a new constitution, and a new 
system of laws. His disposition was mild and temporizing; 
and he did not, like Lycurgus, endeavor to operate a total 
change in the manners of his countrymen, but attempted to 
moderate their dissensions, restrain their passions, and open 
«» fair field to the growth and exercise of ability and virtuje 



GREECE. 2d 

and his system, though less original and artificial, was nior« 
rational and judicious. Of his laws, he said, " If they are no! 
the best possible, they are the best the Athenians are capable 
of receiving." 

5. Solon vested the supreme power in an assembly of tht 
people, composed of the freemen whose age exceeded 8( 
ye.irs. By them all laws were enacted, e'Nery public measurt 
determined, all appointments made; and to them an appear 
.ay from all courts of justice. He instituted a senate or cour 
cil of 400, afterward increased to 500 ; restored the Areop'ic 
gus ; and divided the people into four classes, according tt 
their wealth. 

6. Commerce and agriculture were encouraged ; induf-try 
and economy were enforced ; and ingratitude, disobedience 
to parents, and opprobrious language, were punished. The 
father who had taught his son no trade could not claim a 
support from him in his old age. The body of laws which 
Solon established has been so highly esteemed, that it has 
formed the basis of many subsequent systems of legislation. 

7. The different laws of Athens and Sparta produced, in 
process of time, a corresponding difference in the character 
and manners of the people. At Athens, the arts were in the 
highest esteem ; at Sparta, they were despised. At Athens, 
peace was the natural state of the republic, and the refined 
enjoyment of life the aim of the people. At Sparta, war was 
the great business of life, and no amusements were practised 
except such as were military or athletic. An Athenian was 
characterized by luxury ; a Spartan, by frugality : the virtues 
of the latter were more severe ; those of the former, more 
agreeable. They were both, however, equally jealous of 
liberty, and equally brave in war. 

8 Before the death of Solon, Pisis'tratus, a citizen of greai 
we^ .th and eloquence, by courting popularity in various ways, 
found means to raise himself to the sovereign power, which 
he and his sons retained for 50 years. He exercised a munifi- 
cent and splendid dominion, encouraged the arts and sciences 
and is said to have founded the first public library iinown to 
the world, and to ha\'e first collected the poems of Homei 
into one volume, which before were merely repeated in le- 
tached portions. 

9. Pisis'tratus transmitted the sovereignty to his sons Hip']n- 
as and Hippar'chus, called the Pisistrat'idcB. They governed, 
for some time, with wisdom aad moderation ; but at length an 
abuse of power caused a conspiracy to be formed against them 
and their government was overthrown by Harmo'dins and 



24 GREECE. 

Aristogi'ton. Hippar'chus was slain; and Flippias not long 
after fled to Darius, king of Persia, who was then meditating 
the conquest of Greece ; and he was afterward killed in the 
battle of Mar'athon fighting against his countrymen. 



SECTION VII. 

Gre&^s invaded hy the Persians under Darius : Battle of 
MaratJion : Miltiades : Persian Invasion vnoer Xerxes: 
Tliemistocles : Arisiides : Battle of Thermopy-^: Lecni 
das : Battles of Salamis, PlatcBa, and Mycale : Cimon. — 
From B. C. 490 to 431. 

1. The period from the first Persian invasion to the begin- 
ning of the Peloponnesian war is esteemed the most glorious 
age of Greece. The series of victories which the inhabitants 
obtained over the Persians are the most splendid recorded in 
history. 

2. Persia, at this period, was far the most powerful empire 
in the world, embracing the territories included in modern 
Persia, Turkey in Asia, Egypt, a great part of Tartary, and 
part of Arabia. The Greek colonies in Asia Minor were sub- 
ject to the Persians, who had likewise made a conquest of 
Thrace : Macedonia had also acknowledged subjection ; so 
that the Persian dominion extended over a large portion of the 
Grecian people, and even bordered on the country of Greece. 

3. The Asiatic Greeks made an attempt to throw off the 
Persian yoke, and were assisted by the Athenians. Darius^ 
king of Persia, having reduced his revolted subjects to sub- 
mission, formed a determination, in consequence of the course 
taken by the Athenians, to make-aQ^entire conquest of Greece ; 
and in this design he was encouraged and assisted by the ex- 
iled tyrant Hippias. 

4. Darius despatched heralds to each of the Grecian states^ 
demanding earth and water, as an acknowledgment of his su- 
premacy. Thebes, together with a number of the other cr,ies, 
and most of the islands, submitted ; but the Athenians and 
[jMcedsemonians were so indignant, that, forgetting the laws 
of nations and of humanity, they put the heralds *o death with 
the utmost ignominy. At one place they were thrown into a 
pit, at the other into a well, and told there to take their earth 
and water. 

5. Darius began his hostile attack both by sea and land 
The first Persian fleet, under the command of Mardo'nius 



wa5 wrecked in a storm, in doubling the promontory of Alhoi, 
•vith a loss of no less than 300 vessels ; a second, of GOO sail, 
ravaged the Grecian islands ; while an immense army, consist- 
ing, according to the lowest statements of the ancient histori- 
ans, of 110,000 men, commanded by Artaj) kernes and JDati^, 
•nvaded Attica. 

6. This formidable host was met on the narrow plain of 
Mar'athon by the Athenian army, greatly inferior in numb».r 
{:3tat?d by the best authorities at from 30,000 to 40,000), unQcr 
the command of the celebrated MiUi'ades, who, availing him- 
self of an advantageous position of the ground, gained a de- 
cis've victory, and drove the routed invaders to their ships. 
The loss of the Persians was 6,300 ; that of the Athenians, 
only 192. 

7. Miltiades, by this victory, rose to the height of popularity 
and influence, which, however, he lost not long afterwards by 
a failure in an attack on the island of Paros. On his return 
from this expedition, he was accused of treason ; and though 
absolved from the capital charge, yet he was condemned to 
pay a fine of 50 talents (about 50,000 dollars). In conse 
quence of this, he was thrown into prison, and died in a few 
days of the wounds which he received at Paros ; but the fine 
was paid by his son Cimon. 

8. The Athenians v/ere, at this time, divided into two par- 
ties*, one of which favored an aristocratical, and the other a 
democratical, form of government. The two leaders of these 
parties were the distinguished statesmen and warriors, Aristi'- 
des and Themis' todes ; Aristides being the advocate of aristoc- 
racy, and Themistocles of democracy. 

9. Aristides, who, on account of his stern integrity, received 
the surname of the Just, was, through the intrigues of his grea; 
rival, banished for ten years by the ostracism. While the 
people were giving their votes for his exile, it happened that a 
citizen, who was unable to write, and did not know him per- 
sonally, brought his shell to him, and requested diat he would 
write tlie name of Aristides upon it. " Why, what harm has 
Aristidi.s ever done you .? " said he. " No harm at all," an- 
swered the citizen, " but 1 cannot bear to hear him continually 
called the Just.'''' Aristides smiled, and, taking the shell, wi-ote 
his name upon it, and quietly went into banishment ; but he 
was I'ccalled soon after the renewal of the war. 

10. The death of Darius, and other circumstances, occa- 
■"oned tho discontinuance of the war for several years ; but 
Xd'rxes, the young I'ersian muuurch, having ascended the 
throne, was eager to punish Athens, and subdue Greece. 
Having spent foui years in preparation, he collected an arm^ 



26 GREECE. 

greater than the world ever saw, either before or since. Ac 
cording to Herod'otus, the whole number of fighting men, in 
the army and fleet, exceeded 2,000,000 ; and, including the 
retinue of sutlers, slaves, and women, the whole multitude la 
said to have exceeded 5,000,000. 

11. The fleet consisted of upwards of 1,200 galleys tif war, 
besides a greater nmnber of transports and smaller vessels. 
A canal, navigable for the largest galleys, was formed across 
tlie isthmus which joins mount Athos to the continent ; and, 
for the conveyance of the army, two bridges of boats were ex,° 
tended across the Hellespont, at a point where the width h 
seven furlongs. 

12. Xerxes, having taken a station on an eminence, in order 
to gratify his vanity by viewing the vast assemblage which he 
iiad collected, — the earth covered with his troops, and the sea 
with his vessels, — is said to have been suddenly so much 
affected as to shed tears, upon reflecting that, in the space of one 
hundred years, not one of the many thousands would be alive. 

13. The Persian army advanced directly towards Athens, 
and this city fortunately possessed, in Themis'tocles, a leader 
of extraordinary talents, peculiarly fitted for conducting the 
arduous contest. Most of the other states united in assisting 
Athens in repelling the invaders, Sparta taking the lead ; but 
some of them submitted to the Persians. 

14. Leon'idas, king of Sparta, with a small army, undertook 
the defence of Thermop'ylce, a narrow mountain pass or defile 
on the coast, connecting Thessaly and Phocis. Xerxes, having 
approached this place, sent a herald to Leonidas, commanding 
him to deliver up his arms, to whom the Spartan replied, with 
laconic brevity, " Come and take them." For two days the 
Persians strove to force their way, but were repulsed with 
great slaughter ; but having, at length, discovered a by-path 
over the mountains, the defence of the pass became impossible. 

15. Leon'idas, foreseeing certain destruction, resolved in 
obedience to a law of Sparta, which forbade its soldiers, in a ay 
case, to flee from an enemy, to devote his life to the honor and 
service of his country ; and, animated by his example, the 
300 Spartans under his command determined with him to abide 
the event. With the fury of men resolved to sell their Uvea 
at the dearest rate, they fell upon the Persian camp, and were 
all cut off", after having made a dreadful havoc of the enemy. 
Two only of the Spartans, these having been accidentally ab- 
sent, survived the battle. A monument was erected on tha 
spot, bearing this inscription, written by Simon'ides : " 
stranger ! tell it at Lacedeemon, that we died here in obedh 
«uce to her laws." 



GREECE. 21 

16. The Persians, having forced the pass of Thermopylai 
poured down upon Attica, ravaging the country with tire and 
Rword. The inhabitants of Athens, after conveying tlieir 
women and children to the islands for security, betook them- 
selves to the fleet, abandoning the city, which the Persians pil- 
laged and burnt. 

17. Preparations were now made for a great naval battle 
The Persian fleet consisted of 1,200 galleys; that of iho 
Greeks, of 300, and it was commanded by Themis' tocles and 
Aristi'des. An engagement took place in the straits of Sal- 
amis, where it was impossible for the Persians to bring t:ieii 
n\imerous ships regularly into action, and they were defeated 
with immense loss. The king, who had seated himself on an 
eminence to wicess the battle, terrified at the result, retreated, 
with a part of his army, to his own dominions. 

18. Xerxes left Mardo'7mis, with 300,000 men, to comp ete 
the conquest of Greece in the following summer. This army, 
which was joined by many Grecian auxiliaries, was met a1 
PlatcB'a, early in the next season, by the combined forces of 
Athens and Lacedgemon, consisting of 110,000 men, under 
the command of Aristi'des and Pausa'nias, and was defeated 
with tremendous slaughter, Mardo'nius being killed, and the 
most of his men being slain in the battle and the subsequent 
massacre. 

19. On the same day of the great victory of Platfe'a, the 
Greeks, under Leotych'ides the Lacedaemonian, and Xanlhip'- 
pus the Athenian, engaged and destroyed the Persian fleet at 
the promontory of Myc'a-le. near Ephesus. The Persian 
army was now completely destroyed. Xerxes, having been ■ 
entirely frustrated in all his mad schemes, was soon after as- 
sassinated, and was succeeded by his son Arlaxerxes Longim'- 
anus. 

20. The Persian war, however, was not yet terminated. 
The Greeks, in their turn, became the assailants and invaders. 
They undertook to defend the lonians, who had thrown off" the 
Persian yoke. The Spartans, commanded by Pausa'nia-s, and 
the Athenians, by Aristi'des and Cimo7i, advanced to the island 
of Cyprus, which they took, and set free ; and, having taken 
and plundered the city of Byzan'tium, they retui'ned with im- 
mense booty. 

21. Pausa'nias, who had borne a distinguished command in 
this war, being at length intoxicated with glory and power, as- 
pired to hold, under Persia, tho dominion of Greece, and, ii. 
a letter to Xerxes, promised to effect the subjugation of the 
country, or. condition of his receiving his daughter in mar- 
riage. Being convicted by the ephori of this treason, he took 



28 GREECE. 

refuge in the t ample of Minerva where, the sanctity of the 
place securing him from violence, he was doomed to perish by 
hungt'i-, 

22 rkemis'tocles, the great Athenian commander, was ac- 
cused of participating in the treason of Pausanias, and was 
banished by the ostracism. Proceeding to Asia, he wrote a 
letter to king Artaxerxes, in which he said, " I, Themistocles, 
come to thee, who have done thy house most ill of all the 
Greeks, while I was of necessity repelling the invasion of thy 
father, but yet more good, when I was in safety, and his return 
was endangered." He was permitted to live in great splendor 
in Persia, and there died in exile, leaving an almost unrivaled 
reputation as a statesman and warrior ; but if to his great tal- 
ents he had joined an unquestionable integrity, his fame would 
have been purer. 

23. After the banishment of Themistocles, the affairs of 
Athens were, for a short time, directed by Aristi'des ; and, 
upon his death, the whole power came into the hands of Ci'- 
mon, the son of Milti'ades, one of the most illustrious statesmen 
and warriors that Greece ever produced. 

24. Cjinon maintained the political influence and militaiy 
power of Athens, conducted the war with great success, and 
gained two great victories over the Persians on the same day, 
one by sea, and the other by land, near the mouth of the 
Eurym'edon, in Asia Minor. 

25. A powerful party at length arose against Cimon, and 
procured his banishment by the ostracism, and Per'icles, a 
young man of noble birth, great talents, and extraordinary elo- 
quence, succeeded him in authority. 

26. But, after a banishment of five years, Cimon was re- 
called, restored to the command of the army, gained further 
important victories over the Persians, and finally died of a 
wound which he received at the siege of Citium , in Cyprus. 

27. The Persian war, which had lasted, with little intermis- 
sion, about fifty years, was now brought to a termination. Ar- 
taxerxes, finding his strength, both by sea and land, broken, 
sued for peace, which was granted on condition that he should 
give freedom to all the Grecian colonies in Asia Minor, and 
that the Persian fleets should be excluded from the Greciar 
iscas. 

28. After the death of Cimon, his brother-in-law Thucyd'- 
ides, became the competitor of Per'icles for popular favor and 
Ruthority. A war of eloquence ensued, and Thucydides, being 
worsted, was banished by the ostracism, and the lead of Pericles 
was, from this time till his death a period of about twenty years, 
but li.tle dispyted 



GREECE. 29 

29. He governed Athens v/ith almost arbitraiy swa/, adorn* 
td the city with master-pieces of architecture, sculpture, and 
painting, patronized the arts and sciences, celebrated splendid 
games and festivals, and his administration formed an era of 
great internal splendor and magnificence ; but he exhausted 
the public revenue, and corrupted the manners of the people. 

30. The time of the Persian war was the period of the high- 
est military glory of the Greeks, and they owed their prosperity 
to their union. But after this war had ceased, this union was 
dissolved, and the jealousies and ambitious views of the rival 
slates were again revived. Athens had been rebuilt, and sur« 
rounded with a strong wall. But to this Sparta had meanly 
objected, and Athens saw with pleasure the depopulation of 
Sparta by an earthquake, in which about 20,000 lives were 
lost. Sparta also suffered greatly about this time by the insur- 
rection of the Helots, or slaves. 

31. Although the Athenians were apparently the greatest 
sufferers by the invasion, their city being burnt, and their 
country laid waste, yet they derived the greatest benefits from 
its effects. In consequence of their naval superiority, and the 
unrivalled talents of their commanders, Mi/ti'ades, Themis'- 
tocles, Aristi'des, and Ci'mon, they reached the summit of 
political influence and military power, and attained that su- 
premacy in Greece which the Lacedaemonians had hitherto 
enjoyed. 

32. The politics of Greece, for a considerable time after the 
Persian war, turned upon the rivalry between the two leading 
republics, Athens and Lacedoemon. The former was powerful 
by sea, the latter by land. Athens was the patroness of de- 
mocracy, Lacedcemon of aristocracy. It was customary for 
the weaker states, for their security, to ally themselves with 
one of the two leading ones ; and, in most of them, there were 
two parties in continual contest, the democrats and the aris- 
tocrats : the former naturally adhered to Athens ; the latter to 
Sparta. 

33. From this period the martial and patriotic spirit began 
to decline. An acquaintance with Asia, and an importation 
of her wealth, introduced a relish for Asiatic manners and 
luxuries. With the Athenians, however, this luxurious spirit 
was under the guidance of taste and genius, and it led lo the 
cultivation of the fine arts, which, during the age of Per'icles, 
were in the most flourishing stai? 



30 GREECE 



SECTION vm. 



Peloponnesian Wau : Pericles : Alcibiades : Bailie of 
Mgos-Potavios : Lysander : Thirty Tyrants : Socrates : 
Retreat of the 10,000 : Peace of Antalcidas : Thebes : 
Epaminondas : Battles of Leiictra and Mantinea : Agesi' 
laus. — From B. C. 431 to 360. 

1. In the latter part of the administration of Per'icles, com- 
me need the Peloponnesian War, which grew out of the long- 
continued rivalship between Athens and Sparta, and was tho 
most important and celebrated war ever carried on by the 
Grecian states with each other. 

2. This contest partook, in a great degree, of the nature of 
a civil war ; and through the time of its continuance, being the 
age of Soc'rates himself, was an era characterized by the high 
perfection to which the arts, philosophy, and refinement had 
been brought, yet it was carried on in a spirit of savage ferocity, 
rarely exemplified among civilized nations ; a boundless scope 
^SiS given to ambition and party rage ; all the ties of nature 
were trampled upon, and Greece exhibited, during this period, 
a perpetual scene of conflict and calamity. 

3. The Athenians having assisted the inhabitants of Corcy'ra 
against the Corinthians, were accused by the latter of having 
thereby violated the treaty of the confederated states of Pelopon- 
ne'sus, and an appeal to arms was immediately resolved on. 

4. Sparta took the lead against Athens, and was joined by 
al! the Peloponnesian states, except Argos, which remained 
neutral ; and in Northern Greece, by the Megarians, Boeotians, 
Locrians, Phocians, &c. Athens had few allies ; the principal 
were the Thessalians, Acarnanians, and several islands. The 
Peloponnesian forces, commanded by the Spartan king, Ar- 
chid'amus, amounted to 60,000, while the army of the Athe- 
nians did not exceed 32,000 ; but the navy of the latter was 
much the superior. 

5. In the first year of the war, the Lacedasmonians ravaged 
Attica, and laid siege to Athens ; in the second year, the city 
was visited by a dreadful plague, which swept away multitudes , 
and among its victims was Pericles, who died the third year of 
ihe war, and at a time when his services were most wanted. 
The war, however, \yas not arrested by this awful calamity, 
but continued to rage for several years in a similar manner, 
and with nearly equal losses on both sides. 

6. After the Q 3ath of Per'icles, Cleon, the leader of the 



GREECE. 31 

democratic party, had, for a time, the direction of the Athenian 
councils ; but he was slain at Amphip'olis, m a battle with 
Bras' idas, the Spartan general, who was also mortally wound- 
ed. After the death of Cleon, a treaty of peace was concluded 
between Athens and Sparta, by means of the influence of Ni'- 
cias, the leader of the aristocratic and pacific party. 

7. But the war was again soon renewed through the influ- 
ence of Alcibi'ades, who now took the lead in the government 
of Athens, and who was one of the most accomplished orators 
and generals of his age, but whose want of principle rendered 
his talents ruinous both to himself and his country. 

8. An expedition was sent against the island of Sicily, under 
the command of Alcibi'ades and Ni'cias ; but the former was 
accused of misconduct and recalled, and the latter totally de- 
feated and slain. Alcibiades afterward again took the com- 
mand of the army of Alliens, and gained important advan- 
tages ; but he at length fell into disgrace, and was banished, 
and the chief command of the Athenian ariny was given to 
Conon. 

9. But Lysan'der, the ablest of the Lacedasmonian generals, 
having succeeded to the command, utterly defeated the Athe- 
nian fleet at jE' gos-Pot'amos, on the Hellespont, which reduced 
Athens to the last extremity. The Lacedaemonians blockaded 
the city by land and sea, and its reduction was left to the sure 
operation of famine. 

10. The- Athenians, anxious to avoid utter extermination, 
were ready to accept almost any terms of peace. They were 
spared on condition that they should demolish their port, with 
all their fortifications, limit their fleet to 12 ships, and in future 
undertake no military enterprise, except under the command 
of the Lacedaemonians. Thus the Peloponnesian war termi- 
nated by the humiliating submission of Athens, and by render- 
ing Lacedae'mon the leading power in Greece. 

1 1. Lysander, after the reduction of Athens, abolished tha 
popular government, and substituted in its place an oligarchy 
consisting of 30 magistrates, whose power was absolute, and 
who, from their atrocious acts of cruelty, were styled the 
Thirty Tyrants. In the space of eight months, 1,500 citizens 
were sacrificed to their avarice or vengeance. At length 
Thrasybu'lus, at the head of a band of patriots, drove the 
tyrants from the seat of their abused power, and restored the 
democratical form of government. 

12. But pure democracy was far from being any security, at 
Athens, against acts of tyranny and oppression, even in the 
most eir.lightened age of the republic. The Athenians wera 



32 GREECE. 

characterized as fickle and capricious ; and, in some of theif 
proceedings, they were as unjust and cruel as tlie most lawlesa 
despots. 

13. The name of Soc'rates is at once the glory and the re- 
proach of Athens. This illustrious philosopher, who, on ac- 
liount of his high moral views, is the boast of the pagan worlds 
and who attempted to introduce among his countrymen worthier 
sentiments of religion, and a better understanding of the duties 
of life, was accused of corrupting the youth, and condemned 
by the assembly of Athens to die by poison. 

14. During his imprisonment, which lasted thirty days, ho 
conducted himself with the greatest dignity ; refused to escape 
when opportunity offered ; conversed with his friends on topics 
of moral philosophy, particularly the immortality of the soul ; 
and, when the appointed time arrived, drank the fatal cup of 
hemlock, and died with the greatest composure. 

15. The philosophy of Socrates, which forms an important 
epoch in the history of the human mind, was wholly promul- 
gated in conversation, not in writing ; but his doctrines and 
character have been handed down to us by two of his most 
gifted pupils, Plato and Xenophon. He turned all the powers 
of his mind against the atheists, materialists, and sceptics. He 
attended but little to physical science ; he ridiculed the meta- 
physical speculations of his predecessors ; and introduced 
moral philosophy, by teaching mankind to govern their pas- 
sions, and to consider their actions and their duties. From 
this it was said of him, that he drew down philosophy from 
heaven to earth. 

16. About the end of the Peloponnesian war, the death of 
Darius left the throne of Persia to his son, Artaxerxes II. ; bul 
his brother Cyrus attempted to dethi'one him, and for this pur- 
pose he employed upwards of 10,000 Grecian mercenaries , 
and after the battle of Cunaxa, near Babylon, Cyrus, and also 
the Grecian commander, were slain. The remainder of the 
Grecian army, under the command of Xen'ophon, made a re- 
treat, in which they encountered incredible difficulties and 
dangers, in traversing an enemy's country of 1,600 miles ia 
extent, from Babylon to the shores of the Euxine. 

17. This celebrated return of the Greeks, usually called the 
Retreat of the Ten Thousand, is beautifully described by Xen- 
ophon, and is considered one of the most extraordinary exploits 
m military history ; but it is to be regretted that the pupil and 
biographer of Socrates should have gathered his laurels in so 
vile a trade as that of a mere hireling military adventurer. 



GREECE 3d 

18. The Greek cities of Asia having taken part with Cyrus, 
the Spartans, under their king, Agesila'us, engaged in their de- 
fence, and thus became involved in the war with the Persians. 
But the king of Persia, by means of bribes, induced Athens, 
Thebes, Corinth, and other Grecian states jealous of the Lace- 
daemonians, to join in a league against them. Agesilaus wag 
obliged to return from Asia Minor to protect his own country ; 
an.l he defeated the confederates at Corone'a, but the Spartan 
fleet was soon after defeated by the Athenians under Cniion 
near Cnidos. 

19. After various vicissitudes, all parties became wearj' of 
the war, and a treaty of peace was concluded, called the peace 
of Antal'cidas, from the Lacedaemonian who negociated it. 
The conditions were, that all the Grecian cities of Asia should 
belong to Persia, and that all the others should be completely 
independent, except that the islands of Lemnos, Scyros^ and 
Imbros should remain under the dominion of Athens. 

20. While Athens and Sparta had been for some time de- 
clining, Thebes, emerging from obscurity, rose, for a short 
period, to a degree of splendor superior to that of all the other 
states. The Spartans, jealous of its rising greatness, took ad- 
vantage of some internal dissensions, and seized upon its cita- 
del ; but it was recovered, and the independence of Thebea 
was again restored by the efforts of Pelop'idas and Epaminon'- 
das, two famous Thebans, admired for their talents and ex- 
ploits, and for their faithful friendship for each other. 

2L A war between the two states ensued ; and the Theban 
army of 6,000 men, commanded by Epaminondas and Pe- 
lojndas, gained the memorable battle of Leuctra. In thia 
battle, the Thebans lost only 300 men, while the Spartans lost 
4,000, together with their king, Cleom'brotus ; and it was with 
mortification and astonishment that they saw themselves defeat- 
ed by numbers greatly inferior, a thing unknown for ages, 

22. The Victorious Thebans, headed by Epaminondas, and 
joined by many of the Grecian states, entered the territories^ 
of Lacedsemon, and overran all Laconia with fire and sword, 
to the very suburbs of the capital. This country had not been 
ravaged by a hostile army for 600 years ; and the boast ol the 
inhabitants, " that never had the women of Sparta beheld the 
smoke of an enemy's camp," was now done away. 

23. The Theban commander, having completely humbled 
the power of Sparta, returned to Theb'^'^ with his victorious 
army : not long after, the war being lenewed, he gained an- 
othei great victory over the Lacedsemonians. commanded by 



34 GREECE 

Agesila'us, and assisted by the Athenians, oX .dantine'a; but 
he fell mortally wounded in the moment of victory. 

24. Epaminon'das is regarded as one of the greatest char- 
acters of Greece, equally eminent as a philosopher, a states- 
man, a general, and a citizen. He raised his country to its 
highest eminence in military renown, and its power and splen- 
dor perished with him. 

25. The battle of Mantine'a was followed by a peace be- 
tween all the Grecian states, establishing the independence of 
each city. Soon afterward, the Spartans, under the command 
of Agesila'us, proceeded to Egypt, to assist Tachos, the king 
of that country, against Nectane'bus, who aspired to the throne. 
But when the Egyptians, who crowded to see the famous war- 
rior, beheld a little, deformed, lame old man, sitting on the sea- 
shore, clad in homely attire, they could scarcely conceal their 
disappointment. In consequence of some personal affront re- 
ceived from Tachos, Agesilaus deserted him, and raised his 
competitor to tne throne. Having set sail for Sparta, he died 
on the coast of Egypt, leavixig a high reputation as an able 
statesman and warrior. 



SECTION IX. 

PJiilip of Macedon : Sacred War : Battle of Cheer onea 
Alexander the Great : Conquest of Persia : Battles of 
the Granicus, Issus, and Ariela : Alexander'' s Death. — 
From B. C. 360 to 324. 

1. After the death of Agesila'us, little occurs in the history 
of Greece deserving notice, till the appearance of Philip of 
Macedon. The several states were now in an abject condition, 
the inhabitants having greatly degenerated from the patriotism 
and valor of their ancestors. 

2. Athens, at this time the most prominent of the republics, 
was sunk in luxury and dissipation ; yet she was distinguished 
for her cultivation of literature and the arts. Sparta, weakened 
by the new independence of Peloponne'sus, and corrupted by 
the introduction of gold, had abandoned her characteristic sim- 
p.icity and severity of manners, and was greatly reduced from 
her former greatness. Under these circumstances, Philip 
formed the ambitious project of bringing the whole of Greece 
ond<r his dominion. 

3. The kingdom of Mag'edon, or Macedonia^ had existed 



GREECE. as 

upwards of 400 years, but it had not risen to any considerable 
eminence ; it had formed no part of the Greek confedtracy, 
and had had no voice in the Amphictyon'ic council. The in- 
habitants boasted of the same origin with the Greeks, but they 
had had little intercourse with the mother country, and were 
considered by the latter as barbarians. 

4. The Macedonian Empire, which was commenced by 
Philip, and completed by his son Alexander, formed tne third 
great empire of antiquity. It is sometimes called the G-recian 
Empire, because Greece, in its most extensive sense, included 
Macedonia, and because all Greece was subject to Philip and 
Alexander. 

5. Philip, when only ten years old, was sent as a hostage 
to Thebes, and there enjoyed the advantage of an excellent 
Grecian education under Epaminondas. At the age of 24 
years he ascended the throne. He possessed great military 
and political talents, and was eminently distinguished for hia 
consummate artifice and address. In order to accomplish his 
design of bringing all the states of Greece under his dominion, 
he cherished dissensions among them, and employed agents or 
pensionaries in each, with a view of having every public 
measure directed to his advantage. 

6. The Phocians had long cultivated a valuable tract, called 
the Cirrhgean plain, which, it was now maintained, had been, 
in a former age, consecrated to the Delphian Apollo ; and it 
was decreed, by the council of the Amphictyons, that they 
should cease to use the sacred land, under the penalty of a 
heavy fine. From this circumstance a contest arose, called 
the Sacred War, in which almost all the states of Greece took 
a part, and which was carried on with spirit for ten years. 
The Thebans, Locrians, Thessalians, and others, undertook to 
punish the Phocians, who were supported by Athens, Sparta, 
a'ld some other states. 

7. Philip, having taken and destroyed the city of OlynthuSy 
a length availed himself of the opportunity, which this war 
aliorded, of bringing his power into full contact with the Gre» 
cian states. He proposed to act as arbitrator of the matter \a 
dispute, and procured himself to be elected a member of the 
Amphictyonic council ; and he was afterwards styled the Am- 
phictyonic general. The Athenians, suspicious of his designs, 
refused to acknowledge the election, and, being now guided by 
the inflammatory eloquence of Demos' tlienes, rather than by 
the pacific counsels of Pho'cion, they were plunged into a de 
structive contest with their powei'ful rival and neighbor. 

8. A second Sacred War drew Philip again into Greece 
The Locrians of Amphis'sa having encroached upon the con- 



36 GREECE. 

secrated ground of Delphi, and having refused to obey the 
decrees of the Amphictyonic council, Philip was invited, aa 
their general, to vindicate their authority by force of arms. 
The Athenians and Thebans, roused to tlie utmost enthusiasm 
by Demos'thenes, united to resist the gi'owing power of this 
ambitious monarch. The two armies met at Chcero7ie'a, and, 
after a most obstinate battle, Philip gained a decisive victory, 
which secured to him an entire ascendency in Greece. 

9. It was not the policy of the conqueror to treat the sevcml 
elates as a vanquished people. He permitted them to retain 
tiieir sepai-ate independent governments, while he directed and 
controlled all the public measures. 

10. Philip next projected the invasion of Persia, and, con 
yoking a general c uncil of the states, laid before them his 
design, which was nighly popular, and he was chosen com 
mander-in-chief of the united forces of all the states of Greece. 
Having made formidable prepai'ations for his expedition, and 
being just ready for his departure, he was assassinated by a 
captain of his guards, while solemnizing the nuptials of his 
daughter. The news of Philip's death caused the most tumul- 
tuous joy among the Athenians, who indulged the vain hope of 
again recovering their liberty. 

11. Alexander, (afterward surnamed the Great,) the son of 
Philip, succeeded to the throne of Macedon, at the age of 20 
years. He had been educated by Ar'istotle, the most eminen 
philosopher of his time, and, at an early age, he gave proofs 
of a love of learning, a generous and heroic disposition, dis- 
tinguished talents, and unbounded ambition. 

12. Demosthenes exerted all his eloquence to persuade his 
countrymen to unite against the youthful king. But Alexan- 
der, having reduced to subjection some barbarous nations to 
the north of Macedon, turned the whole force of his prms upon 
Greece. The Thebans, who had risen in rebellion, were de- 
feated with great slaughter, their city razed to the ground, and 
the inhabitants, to the numbci* of 30,000, sold for slaves. 
These dreadful acts of severity so intimidated the other states 
that they immediately submitted to his dominion. 

13. Alexander then assembled the deputies of the Grecian 
states at Cor'inth, and renewed the proposal of invading Persi.i, 
then ruled by Dari'us Codom'anus, and he was appointed, as 
his father had before been, generalissimo. He had, for his 
companions in arms, Parme'nio and other officers, who had 
distinguished themselves in the wars of Philip. 

14. With an army of 30,000 foot and 5,000 horse, the sum 
\A only 70 talents, and provisions merely for a single montb 



GREECE. 37 

he crossed the Hellespont, in order, with means apparently 
so inadequate, to accomplish his arduous enterprise. He first, 
proceeded to the site of Ilium, or Troy, and ofiered sacrifices 
to the manes of the heroes who fell in the Trojan war, partic- 
ularly AchU'les, whom he pronounced to be the most fortu 
nate of men, in havino; Patro'clus for his friend, and Homer 
for his panegyrist. 

15. The Persian satraps who ruled the western provinces 
of the empire met him, on the banks of the little river GranV' 
cus, with an army of 100,000 foot, and 20,000 horse. Here 
an obstinate battle was fought, in which the Persians wero 
defeated, with the loss, according to Plutarch, of 22,000 menj 
while the Macedonians lost only 34. In tliis battle Alexander 
escaped very narrowly with his life. Being attacked by two 
officers, one of whom was about to cleave his head with a 
battle-axe, he was preserved by Clytus, who prevented the 
dIow by disabling the assailant. 

16. The consequences of this victory were important to 
Alexander, as it put him in possession of the city of Sardis^ 
with all its riches ; and he soon after took Mile'tus, Halicar- 
nas'sus, and other places of importance. 

17. The next campaign opened early in the spring, when 
the great battle of Issus was fought. The Persian army, 
stated at about 600,000 men, commanded by the king in 
person, was defeated with prodigious slaughter, no less than 
110,000 being killed, while the Macedonians lost only 450. 
The engagement took place in a narrow defile, where only 
a small part of the Persian army could be brought into action. 

18. The mother, wife, and two daughters of Darius, fell 
mto the hands of the conqueror, who treated his royal cap- 
tives with the greatest delicacy and respect. Darius, hearing 
of Alexander's kindness towards his family, sent an embassy 
to him, offering, for their ransom, the sum of 10,000 talents 
(about .£2,000,000 sterling), and proposing a treaty of peaco 
and alliance, with the further offer of his daughter in mar- 
riage, and all the country between the Euphrates and tlio 
^jgsc'an Sea as her dower. 

19. When the offer was laid before Alexander's council 
Parme'nio is reported to have said, " If I were Alexander, I 
would accept the terms." " And so would I," replied Alex- 
ander, " were I Parmenio." The answer which he returned 
to the proposal imported that he had invaded Asia to avenge 
the unprovoked aggressions of the Persian monarchs ; that, if 
Darius would come to him, and ask for his wife and family, 
he would willingly deliver them to him ; but if he proposed to 
dispute the sovereignty, he would find him ready to oppose bin. 

4 



3H GREECE. 

20. He next directed his course towards the rich aai corn 
mercial city of Tyre, and demanded admittance into it, in 
order to perform a saciifice to the Tyrian Her'cules. But 
.■Jie Tyrians refusing to grant it, he was so much exasperated, 
ftiat he resolved to reduce the place, which he accomplished 
after a siege of seven months. On this occasion he exercised 
a pit-ce of wanton cruelty, by ordering 2,000 men to be cru- 
cified, in addition to all those who were put to the sword, or 
sold into slavery. 

21. Having invested and taken the city of Gaza, which 
made an obstinate resistance, he sold 10,000 of the inhabitants 
for slaves, and dragged Be'tis, its brave defender, at the wheels 
of his chariot. 

22. Alexander next proceeded to Egypt, which was then 
subject to Persia ; but it readily submitted to his authority 
Amidst incredible fatigues, he led his army through the deserts 
of Lybia to visit the temple of Jupiter -Amnion, and, as the 
reward of his labors, was gratified by receiving the title of 
the son of Jupiter. While in Egypt, he commenced a more 
useful and lasting monument of his greatness, by founding 
the city of Alexandria, afterward the capital of Lower Egypt, 
the seat of the Ptolemies, and, for a long time, one of the 
greatest commercial cities in the world. 

23. Returning from this romantic expedition, he receivied 
again advantageous proposals from Darius, who offered to sur- 
render to him his whole dominions to the west of the Euphra- 
tes ; but he haughtily rejected the offer, telling him " the 
world could no more admit tv/o masters than two suns." 

24. Having crossed the Euphrates, with an army of nearly 
50,000 men, he met that of Darius, which-- is said to have 
amounted to about 700,000. A tremendous battle ensued, 
a: which the Persians were entirely defeated, with a loss stated 

' at 300,000 men, while that of Alexander was only about 500. 
This engagement took place near the village of Gaugame'la^ 
but it is usually called the battlt of Arhe'Ja, from a town 
farther distant. 

25. This great battle decided the fate of Persia, and intro- 
duced a new era into the history of the world. From that 
period, Europe has maintained the superiority over Asia, 
which was then acquired. Darius, having fii'st escaped into 
Media, and afterwards into Bactria, was there betrayed by 
Bessus, the satrap of the province, and murdered ; and, not 
long after, the whole Persian empire submitted to the con- 
queror. 

26. Alexander, not yet satiated with conquest, penetrater 
Into India and, in a great battle defeated Po'rus, an illustn 



GREECE. 39 

o'ls soveieign of that country. He was projecting furtliei 
achievements, when his soldiers, seeing no end to the;r toils 
refused to proceed, and demanded that they might be permit- 
ted to return to their country. 

27. Finding it impossible to overcome their reluctance, he 
returned to the Indus, whence, sending round his fleet to the 
Persian gulf under Ne-ar'chus, he marched his army acrosa 
tlie desert to Persep'olis, and thence pioceeded to Babylon^ 
A'hich he chose for the seat of his Asiatic empire ; and, having 
resided here some time, he was seized with a fever, brouglit 
on, according to some writers, by excessive drinking, and soon 
after died, in the 33d year of his age, and the 13th of his reign. 

28. Alexander was the most renowned hero of antiquity 
surpassing all others in the rapidity, extent, and splendor of 
his conquests. Some other conquerors have shed more blood, 
and have waged war on a more cruel system ; but no one ever 
bestowed such fatal brilliancy upon the hateful lust of con- 
quest ; nor has any other person, perhaps, been the cause of 
more misery to mankind, if, to the slaughter occasioned by 
his own wars, we take into the account the influence which his 
example has had on the career of others who have made him 
their model. 

29. His extraordinary abilities, his romantic and daring 
spirit, and the unparalleled splendor of his successes, have 
been the more mischievous, in their example, from the amia- 
ble and generous qualities which formed a part of his charac- 
ter. He possessed talents which might have rendered him 
distinguished as a statesman and a benefactor to his species ; 
yet it was to his military renown alone that he owed the sur- 
name of Great. 

30. Though, in the early part of his career, he was distin- 
guished for self-government, yet he became intoxicated by his 
extraordinary success ; and his vanity, which was naturally 
excessive, being cherished by the extravagant adulations of ths 
sycophants who surrounded him, he was, at length, induced 
to believe himself the son of Jupiter, and a god, that he could 
do no wrong, and that his will ought to be the supreme law 
to his subjects. With these views, he gave himself up to un- 
bounded indulgence, and to acts of the most atrocious cruelty 
and ingratitude. 

31. His most celebrated general, Parme'nio, who had as- 
sisted him in gaining all his victories, he caused to be assas- 
sinated on mere suspicion. His friend Clytus, who had saved 
his life at the Grani'cus, he ran through the body with a spear, 
because lie contradicted him, when heated with wine. He 
caused the philosopher Callis'thenes to be put to death, with 



^ GREECE. 

the most cruel tortures, because he refused to pay him adora 
tion as a divinity. 

'32. His personal qualities and exploits were such as man. 
kind are too much inclined to admire ; and his history shows 
how easily uninterrupted success degiades the character and 
corrupts the heart ; and how necessary disappointments and 
misfortunes are to teach us moderation, justice, and humanity 



SECTION X. 

Alexander's Successors : Demosthenes : Phocion : Demetrius 
Phalereus : Achcean League : PhilopoRmen : Subjugation 
of Macedonia and of Greece. — From B, C. 324 to 146. 

1. Alexander named no successor, but, on his death- bed, he 
gave his ring to Perdic'cas, one of his generals ; and, upon 
being asked to whom he left his empire, he replied, " to the 
most worthy." His vast empire was soon rent in pieces by 
ihe greedy soldiers who had assisted him in the acquisition of 
It, and a period of confusion, bloodshed, and crime ensued, 
to which civilized nations can scarcely furnish a parallel. 

2. The generals of the army appointed Philip Aridce'us^ 
the brother of Alexander, with his infant son by Roxa'na, to 
succeed him ; and Perdic'cas was made regent. The empire 
was divided into 33 governments, distributed among as many 
of the principal officers. Hence arose a series of intrigues, 
and fierce and bloody wars, which resulted in the total extir- 
pation of Alexander's family, and, after the defeat of Antig'- 
onus, one of his generals, (who had obtained possession of 
his principal dominions in Asia,) in the famous battle of Ipsus, 
in a new division of the empire into four kingdoms, namely, 
that ol* Egypt, under PtoVemy ; Macedonia, including Greece, 
andei Cassin'der; Thrace, together with Bithynia, under 
LysimacJius ; and Syria, &c., under Seleu'cus. 

3. The kmgdom of Thrace lasted only till B. C. 281, when 
Lysmi'achus was defeated and slain by Seleu'cus, and tliat of 
Macedonia till the battle of Pydna, B. C. 168. The two most 
powerful kingdoms were Syria and Egypt ; the forn er con- 
tinued unler the sceptre of the Seleu'cidce, and the latter under 
that of the Ptolemies, till they were both annexed to the Koman 
T^mpire. 

4. During the progress of Alexander's conquests, var'oua 
attei ipts were made by the Grecian states to throw off th** 



GREECE. 41 

yoke of Macedonia. The Spartans, especially, exiited a 
powerful insurrection, but they were subdued by Antip'ater^ 
who had been left by Alexander to govern Macedonia in hia 
absence. 

5. The news of Alexander's death occasioned great joy at 
Athens, and the eloquence of Demos'thenes was again exerted 
to rouse his countrymen to secure their liberty. But he was 
still opposed by his former antagonist, the incorruptible and 
prudent Fho'cion, who continued a strenuous advocate for 
jieace, and whnse language was, " Since the Athenians are 
no longer able to fill their wonted glorious sphere, let them 
adopt counsels suited to their abilities, and endeavor to coui* 
the friendship of a power which they cannot provoke but to 
their ruin." 

6. The counsels of Demosthenes prevailed so far, that tlie 
Greeks formed a confederacy, and made an eflx)rt to recover 
their liberty ; but they were finally defeated by Antip'ater, 
and Athens was obliged to purchase peace by the sacrifice of 
her ten chief public speakers, among whom the renowned 
orator Demosthenes was included. But he put an end to his 
life by poison, in order to avoid falling into the hands of his 
enemies. 

7. Antip'ater was succeeded, in the government of Mace- 
donia by Polysper'chon^ who restcred, for a short time, the 
Grecian states to independence. Athens renewed its scenes 
of turbulence, and proceeded to put to death the friends of 
Antipater, and, among others, the venerable Pho'cion, who 
was upwards of 80 years of age. He was eminent for his 
public and private virtues, and had been 45 times appointed 
governor of Athens. To a friend, who lamented his fate, he 
said, " This is no more than what I expected ; this treatment 
the most illustrious citizens of Athens have received before 
me." 

8. Polysperchon was succeeded by Gassander, who apj)oint- 
e i Demetrius Phale'reus governor of Athens. Under his wise 
and beneficent government, which continued 12 years, the city 
enjoyed quiet and prosperity, and the Athenians testified their 
gratitude by erecting to him 360 statues. 

9. From this time, Athens never enjoyed anything more 
than a precarious independence. Her political power and 
greatness had ceased, and her citizens, formerly so distin- 
guished for their spirit of liberty and independence, became 
no less so for their excessive flattery and abject servility. 

10. From this period to the final subjugation of Greece by 
ihe Romans, the difl^erent states underwent a variety of revo* 

4* 



4Si GREECE. 

iutions ; but they present little that is interesting, ana still less 
that is pleasing. An immense number of Gauls, under their 
king Brennus, ra,vaged the country ; but they were at last 
mostly cut off. 

11. Scarcely recovering from the inroads of these barbatx- 
ans, the states of Peloponnesus were involved in calamities 
by the invasion of the celebrated Pyrrhus, king of Epi'rus, 
the greatest general of his age. He made an unsuccessfu 
attack on Sparta, and was afterward slain, at the siege of At' 
gos^ with a tile thrown by a woman from the top of a house. 

12. The last effort for maintaining the liberty and independ 
ence of Greece was made by a confederacy, styled the 
Achalan League, which was at first formed by only four smalj 
cities of Peloponnesus -, not long after, eight other cities joined, 
ar.d, at last, most of the Grecian states. The government 
of this confederacy MJ-as coirimitted to Ara'tus, with the title 

_ of pretor. He formed the design of establishing the independ 
ence of all Greece, but the jealousy of some of the principal 
states rendered the scheme abortive. 

13. Aratus was succeeded by Philopce'men, a man of integ- 
ritf and distinguished talents, styled " the last of the Greeks," 
because, after him, Greece produced no leader worthy of hex 
former glory. Having triumphed over the Spartans and ^Eto- 
lians, he was taken and put to death in an expedition against 
the revolted Messenians. 

14. The Romans, who had now become the most powerful 
nation in the world, being solicited by the iEtolians to afford 
them aid against the Macedonians, readily complied with the 
request ; and their army, under the command of Quin'tius 
Flaminius, defeated Philip, king of Macedon, at Cynoceph'- 
al-e, and proclaimed liberty to the Grecian states. Nearb' 
30 years afterwards, a second Roman army, commanded by 
Paulus MmiVius, entered Greece, in a war against Per'seus^ 
son of Philip, who was entirely defeated in the battle of Pydna^ 
and was led captive to Rome, to grace the triumph of the corj* 
queror, and Macedonia was reduced to a Roman province 

15. The Romans, jealous of the power of the Aenaean 
League, endeavored to weaken it by cherishing divisions 
Among he states, and by corrupting the principal citizens. 
At lengih the Spartans, in a contest with the Achaean states, 
sought the aid of the Romans. Metel'lus led his legions into 
Greece, and gained a complete victory over the Aclvdean army. 
The remainder of the Achaean forces having shut themselves 
up in Cor'inih, the Roman consul, Mum'mius, completed the 
conques by taking and destroying that city. The Achaean con 



GREECE. 43 

stitution was soon after dissolved, and the whole of Greece was 
reduced to a Roman province, under the name of Acha'ia. 

16. But Greece, though subject to the Roman arms, ac- 
quired, by her arts of peace, her learning, genius, and taste, 
a silent superiority over her conquerors, and was regarded 
with respect. The most distinguished Romans were educated 
in the Grecian schools of philosophy ; Rome derived her 
learning from Athens, and the victors became the disciples cl 
the vanquished. 

17. In reviewing the history of this extraordinary peopV, 
wpi S3e much to admire, and much also to condemn. Witl* 
regara to genijs, taste, learning, patriotism, love of libei'ty, and 
heroism, they were unrivalled among the nations of antiquity. 

18. In perusing the history of Athens, a circumstance which 
must forcibly impress the reader is the injustice and ingrati- 
tude which she frequently manifested towards many of her 
best citizens, her most illustrious patriots and philosophers. 
Some of the most distinguished victims of this injustice were 
Milti'ades, Aristi'des, Themis' to cles, Ci'mon, Pho'cion, and 
Soc'rates. These were all sentenced to death or banishment ; 
yet, not long after their condemnation, the Athenians, with 
their characteristic fickleness and inconsistency, did ample 
justice to their merit, and punished their accusers. 

19. In no period of Grecian history does there appear to 
have existed that virtuous age which many are accustomed to 
describe, more in the spirit of poetical romance, than of histor- 
ical truth. The standard both of public and private morality, 
in all the states, and at all limes, was low ; and thq most illus- 
trious men that figure in the history of Greece were little 
scrupulous in the choice of means for effecting their public ob- 
jects, but seemed to thinlc it right to secure the ascendency of 
their own country, to humble a I'ival state, or to carrv' on de 
signs of conquest, at any expense of blood or of suffering. 

20. "It is evident," says Mitford, "from the writings of 
Xenophon and Plato, that, in their age, the boundaries of 
right and wrong, justice and injustice, honesty and dishonesty, 
were little determined by any generally received principles. — • 
That might gave right especially in public transactions, was a 
tenet generahy avosvec." 

21. The earlier times were characterized by violence and 
rapine. In a later age, that preceding the Christian era, the 
philosophy of Epicu'rus had gained the ascendency, and the 
subtilties of scepticism, and corruption of manners, had reached 
a height of extravagance which it seemed difficult to exceed. 
The history of the world had demonstrated the necessity of 



44 GREECE. 

some better guide to man than human wisdom Had been ^.l/lo 
to afford him, either as a member of society, or as a beLig 
fnimed for immortality. 




SEcnON XL 

Grecian Antiquities. 
Grecian Sects of Philosophy. 

Most of the ancient sects of philosophy had their origiD 
among the Greeks. The most flourishing period of Grecian 
literature was in the 4th and 5th centuries B. C. 

The Ionic sect, the most ancient school of philosophy among 
the Greeks, was founded by Tha'les, who was distinguished for 
his knowledge of geometry and astronomy. 

The Italian or Pythagore' an sect was founded by Pythag'- 
oras, who taught the transmigration of souls through different 
bodies. 

The Socratic school was founded by Scc'raies, who was es- 
teemed the wisest and most virtuous of the Greeks, and the 
father of moral- philosophy. 

The Cynics, a sect founded by Antis'thenes, and supported 
by Diog'enes, condemned knowledge as useless, renounced 
social enjoyments and the conveniences of life, and indulged 
themselves in scurrility and invective. 

The Academic sect was founded by Plato, a philosopher 
who has had an extensive empire over the minds of men, 
owing to the sublimity of his doctrines, and the eloquence with 
which he has propounded them. He gave his lectures in the 
groves of Acade'mus, near Athens. 

The Peripatet'ic sect was founded by Ar'istotle, who estab 
lished his school in the Lyceum at Athens. His philosophy 
predominated over the minds of men during ±6 centuries. 

The Sceptical sect was founded by Pyrrho, who inculcated 
universal doubt as the only true wisdom. 

The Stoic sect was founded by Zeno. The Stoics incjl 
cated fortitude of mind, denied that pain is an evil, and en 
deavored to raise themselves above all the passions and feel 
ings of humanity. 

The Epicure' ans, named from their founder, Epicu'rus, held 
that man's supreme happiness consists in pleasure. 

" The Greek philosophy," says Tytler, " affords little more 
tlian a picture of the imbecility and caprice of ihe Imncnac 



GREECE 45 

mil "". Its teachers, instead of experiment and observation, 

satisfied themselves with constructing theories ; and these, 
wanting fact for their basis, have only served to perplex the 
understanding, and retard equally the advancement of sound 
morality and the progress of useful knowledge." 

Philosophers and Poets. 

Thf names of the principal Greek philosophers, poets, &:c,, 
aiuy be seen in the Clironological Table of Grecian Literature. 

The most illustrious of the Greek poets are Homer, the 
great epic poet ; Pindar, a lyric poet ; jEs'c/iylus, Eurip'ides, 
Soph'oclcs, Aristoph'anes, and Menan'der, dramatic poets. — 
The poets Homer and He'siod are supposed to have flourished 
9 or 10 centuries B. C. 

Artists and Historians. 

Phid'ias and Praxit'eles were famous statuaries ; Polyg'notus^ 
Parrha'sius, Zcuxis, and Apelles, eminent painters ; Herod'- 
otiis, Thucyd'ides, Xen'opho7i, Polyb'ius, Diodo'rus Sic'ulus^ 
and Dionysius of Halicarnassus, distinguished historians. 

The Seven Wise Men. 

The seiien ivise men of Greece were Tha'les, of Mile'tus ; 
Solcfn, of Athens ; Bias, of Prie'ne ; Chilo, of Lacedge'mon ; 
Pit'tacus, of Mityle'ne ; C/eobu'lus, of Lindos ; and Periander, 
of Cor'inth. — Instead of Perian'der, some enumerate My' son, 
and others Anachar'sis. 

The Council of the Amphictyons. 

This council is supposed to have been instituted by Am* 
pMc'tyon, the son of Deuca'lion, king of Thes'saly, at an early 
period of the history of Gi-eece. It was composed of deputies 
from the different states, and resembled the diet of the German 
empire. At its first institution, it is said to have consisted of 
12 deputies, from 12 different cities or states ; but the number 
of deputies was afterwards increased to 24 and to 30. They 
usually met twice a year ; in the spring at Delphi, and in the 
autumn at Thermop'ylcB. 

The objects of this assembly were to unite in strict amity the 
ptates which were represented ; to consult for their mutual 
welfare and defence ; to decide differences between cities ; to 
iry offences against the laws of nations ; and also to protect 
the oracle of Delphi. 



GREECE. 



Oracles. 



The Greeks were in the habit of consulting oracles on al 
important occasions, — as when they were about to declare 
war, to conclude a peace, to institute a new form of govern- 
ment, or to enact laws. The most celebrated oracles weje 
♦hose of Apollo at Delphi and Delos, the oracle of Jupiter ai 
Vodo'na. and that of Tropho'nius at Lebade'a. 

Public Games. 

There were four public and solemn games in Greece, — the 
Olympic^ Pythian, Ne7nean, and Isthmian. 

The exercises practised at these games were leaping, run- 
ning, throwing, boxing, and wrestling ; also horse and chariot 
races, and contests between poets, orators, musicians, philoso- 
phers, and artists of different descriptions. 

Running was much esteemed among the ancient Greeks. 
Leaping was sometimes performed with weights in the hands, 
or upon the head or shoulders. In boxing, the combatants 
held in their hands balls of stone or lead, while their arms 
were guarded with thongs of leather. 

The Olympic games, which were instituted by Hercules, 
in honor of Jupiter Olympus, were celebrated at the town of 
Olympia, in the first month of every fifth year, and lasted five 
days. They drew together an immense concourse from all 
parts of Greece, and numbers even from foreign countries. 
No one was permitted to contend unless he had prepared him- 
self, by continual exercises, during ten months, in the public 
gymnasium at Elis. 

The contenders were obliged to take an oath that they would 
use no unlawful means to obtain the reward, The prize be^ 
slowed on the victor was a crown of olive ; yet trifling as waa 
this reward, it was considered as the highest honor, and was 
©ought for with the utmost es-gerness. The victor was greeted 
with loud acclamations, and his return home was in the style 
of a warlike conqueror. 

The Greeks computed their time by the celebrations of 
these games, the space intervening between one celebration 
and another being called an Olympiad. 

The Pythian games were celebrated every 5th year, in the 
second year of every Olympiad, near Delphi, in honor of 
A.pollo. The victors were crowned with laurel. 



GREECE. 41 

The Ne'mean games were celebrated at the town of Ne'mea, 
every third year. The victors were crowned with parsley. 

The Isth'mian games were so called from their being cele 
bra ted on the isthmus of Corinth. They were instituted in 
honor of Neptune; observed every 3d or 5i.h year ; and held 
so sacred and inviolable, that a public calamity could not pro- 
vent their celebration. The victors were rewarded with a 
garland of pine leaves. 

X 

Government of Athens. 

Classes of inhabitants. The inhabitants of Atheni* were 
divided into three classes ; citizens or freemen^ foreigners or 
sojourners., and slaves. 

The citizens were the privileged class, and had the govern- 
ment exclusively in their hands. They were divided into 10 
tribes, but they were not limited to the city, a part of thern 
residing in the small boroughs of Attica. The privilege of 
citizenship was highly esteemed, and was obtained with much 
difficulty. 

The sojourners were permitted to exercise trades in the city, 
but had no vote in the assembly, nor could they be raised to 
any office. 

The slaves or servants were the most numerous portion of 
the inhabitants of Attica. They were in a state of hopeles^a 
servitude, wholly at the disposal of their masters, and perform- 
ed the labor in the fields, the mines, and in private houses. 

Archons and other magistrates. The supreme executive 
power was vested in nine archons, elected annually. They 
wore garlands of myrtle, and were protected from violence 
and insult. 

The first, or chief of the nine, was called the archon, by way 
of eminence. He had the care of widows and minors through- 
out Attica, and determined all causes respecting wills. He 
was punished with death, if convicted of drunkenness while 
in office. 

The second archon, styled Bas' ileus, had the superintend- 
ence of religious ceremonies, and decided all disputes among 
priests. 

The third archon, called Pol'emarch, had originally the 
superintendence of military affairs ; but his jurisdiction was 
afterwards confined to strangers and sojourners, and to the 
appointment of games in honor of those who fell in war, and 
to the care of the education of their children. 



4H GREECE. 

The six other archons were called ThesmaWetm. They 
presided at the election of inferior magistrates, ratified public 
contracts or leagues, received complaints against persons 
guilty of various offences, and decided disputes respecting 
trade and commerce. 

The Athenian magistrates were divided into three sorts ; 
1st, the Chirotone'ti, who were chosen by the people, in a 
lawful assembly, in which they voted by holding up theil 
hands; 2d, the Clero'ti, who, after having been approved by 
the people, were promoted by lots drawn in the temple of The- 
ecus ; 3d, the ^r'eti, who were extraordinaiy ofhcers appointed 
by particular tribes to take care of any business. 

The poorer citizens were admitted to a share in the govern- 
ment, and might aspire to prefennents ; yet the higher offices 
were generally bestowed upon the most distinguished persons. 
The candidates for office were obliged to give an account of 
their past life in the public forum. While in office, the magis- 
trates weie liable to trial for an accusation of any failure in 
the discharge of their duties ; and, after their office had ex- 
pired, they were obliged to give an account of their manage- 
ment, and during 30 days every man was allowed to bring 
forward his complaint. 

Assemblies. The assemblies of the people were composed 
of all the citizens or freemen of Athens ; all foreigners, slaves, 
women, children, and such persons as had received an infa- 
mous punishment, being excluded. They were held four times 
in 35 days ; the place of meeting was the forum, the pnyx, or 
the temple of Bacchus. 

No business could be transacted in an assembly containing 
less than 6,000 citizens. When the question under considera- 
tion was sufficiently discussed, the president called for a decis- 
ion, which was manifested by show of hands. 

Senate The senate, which was elected annually, origmally 
loiusisted of 400, but was afterwards increased to 500. It was 
tiie business of this body to examine, with care, all matters, be- 
fore they were proposed to the people, and to see ihat nothing 
was submitted to them which was contrary to the puLFiic good. 
The senate also examined the accounts of the magistrates, 
'.ook care of the fleet, and punished such offences as wei'e not 
forbidden by any written law. 

Areopagus. The name of this court, which signifies Mars' 
Hill, was taken from the place where it was held. This was 



GREECE. 49 

(he most aistingnished and venerable court of justice in an* 
cjient times, and took cognizance of crimes, abuses, and inno- 
vations, either in religion or government. The Arcop'agites 
were guardians of education and manners, and inspected the 
.aws. To laugh in their assembly was an unpardonable act 
of levity. 

Ostracism. One of the most iniquitous and absurd p^isculiar- 
ilies in the government of Athens, and some other of the Gre- 
cian states, was the practice of the os'tracism, a ballot of all 
the citizens, in which each wrote down the name of the indi- 
vidual most offensive to him ; and he who was marked out by 
the greatest number of votes, was banished from his country 
for 5, 10, or 20 years. It was not necessary that any crime 
should be alleged, and the property and honor of the exile 
remained unhurt. 

This barbarous institution was often subservient to the worsi 
purposes, and stained the character of the Athenians with many 
flagrant instances of injustice and ingratitude. 

Government of Sparta. 

Classes of inhabitants. The inhabitants of Sparta consist- 
ed of citizens., and slaves or Helots. 

The citizens were divided into two classes, the Hoinoii., and 
the Hypomiones ; the former alone could be elected to office ; 
the latter, consisting of the poorer citizens, were only allowed 
to vote at the elections. 

The slaves or Helots were much more numerous than the 
freemen. They performed all the servile labor in the field 
and in the house ; also served as sailors in the fleet, and were 
attached to the army, every soldier being attended by on( o^ 
more. 

Kings. The two chief magistrates of the republic of Spa 
ta were styled kings ; but their power was very limited. They 
presided in the senate, and were high priests of the nation. 
One of them commanded the army, while the other usually 
remained at home to idminister justice. They appeared in 
public places without any retinue, and could scarcely be dis- 
tinguished from other citizens. 

Senate. The senate of Sparta consisted of the two kmgs and 

28 elective members, who were above 60 years of age, and 

retained their dignity till death. It constituted the supreme 

council of the republic, and considered all questions relating 

5 



50 GREECE 

to peace and war, and other important affairs of state. Non« 
were admitted into this august assembly except such as had 
been distinguished from youth for prudence and virtue., 

Ephori. The Eph'ori were five Spartan magistrates, elect- 
ed annually by the people, and might be taken from every 
rank of citizens. It was their duty to inspect the educatioB 
cf youth, and the administration of justice. 

Assemilies. Two public assemblies met at Sparta ; one 
called the general assembly^ attended by all the freemen oJ 
LacoQia ; the other, called the lesser assembly, composed of 
the freemen of the metropolis who were above 30 years of 
age. The general assembly was convened when questions 
relating to peace or war, or other matters of general concern, 
were to be determined. The lesser assembly was held at every 
^11 moonjp.nd regulated the succession of the crown, and dis« 
^d Knitters relating to government and religion. 

/ 




GEECIAN HISTORY. 



51 



Chronological Table of Grecian History. 



SOOt/G First Oiijinpiad begins. +■ 

56 Ckerops, tlie first Decennial Archon in Athen.s. 

43 First Messenian War; — ends 724, and Itliome taken. 



8th 

700 

7th 

6og 



85 8econd Mlssenian War ; — ends 671, the Messenians subdued 
84 Crcon, the first Annual Arclwn in Athens. 
24 Draco forms his bloody code of laws for Athens.-* - 
Solar Eclipses first calculated by Tliales 



6i\ 



50Q 



5th 



400 



itl 



300 



3d 



200 



2d 



94 Agesilaus defeats the Athenians, Thebans, &c., at Corojiea. 
87 Peace of Antalcidas between the Spartans and Persians. +■ 
71 Epaminondas of Thebes defeats the Spartans at Leuctra*4 
63 Epaminondas defeats the Spartans at Mantinea:-. 
iS First Sacred War. -\ 348. Philip takes Olynthus. 
39 Second Sacred War. -V- 338. Philip's victory at Chmronea. 
34 Alexander invades Persia ; his victory on "the Granicus. 
33 Battle of Issus. — 332. Tyre taken, and Egypt conquered. 
30 Battle of j^ritZa; Pe(sia conquered. — 224. Alexander dies. 
1 Battle of Ipsus ; Alexander's empire divided. 



Solon forms a new code of laws for Athens. ■^ 

Comedy and Tragedy first exhibited in Athens. ' 

Pisistratus tyrant of Athens; a splendid rule.J^ ^ 

Temples first built in Greece. 

Literature encouraged: Homer's poems collected into a vol 

ume. 
Hippias and Hipparchus, the Pisistratidm, govern Athens 

Hipparchus s\am; and (510) Hippias exY>e\ied.%.^ 

Persian War. — Victory gained by Miltiades at MarathorDr 

Conflict of Leonidas at Thermojjyla. 

Victory gained by Themistocles at Salamis. 

Victories of the Greeks at Platcea (Arislidcs) and Mxjcale. 

Victory gained by Cimon on the Eurymedon.J^ 

Third Messenian War begins. 

Herodotus reads his history at the Olympic games. 

Peloponnesian War begins. -{- 430. P/ao-we at Athens. 

Lysander defeats the Athenians at JEgos Potavios. 

The Thirty Tyrants expelled. -\- Philosophy and the Arts. 

Xejwphon's Retreat with the 10,000.»|- Death of Socrates. 



98 Athens taken by Demetrius Poliorcetes. 
81 The Achaan League begins ; also the .Mtolian League. 
80 Greece ravaged by the Gauls under Brennus. 
73 Py?-rhus, having ravaged Greece, is killed at Argos. 
64 The Arundelian Marbles composed. 
25 Cleomenes reforms the government of Sparta. 
20 War between the Achmms, under Aratus, and the iEtolians. 
6 The Ach<sans, under Philopmmen, defeat the >(Etolians. 



97 



Battle of Cynocephale ; the Macedonians defeated by the Ro- 
mans. 

Battle of Pydna; the Macedonians defeated by the Romans, 
and Macedonia reduced to a Roman province. 

The Achaans defeated by the Romans under Metellus. 

Corinth taken by the Romans under Mummius, and Gkeecb 
reduced to a Roman province under the name oi Achaia. 



To ascertain the date of any eveni mentioned in this Table 
add the figures connected with the event to the century heloijo 
Thus, me first Olympiad begins 776 B. C. 



52 



GEECIAN HISTOEY. 




♦ The poets Bevier and Heaiod are supposed to have flourished 9 or 10 centuries B 



SYRIA, OR SYRO-MEDIA. 53 



SYRIA UNDER THE SELEUCID.E. 



\ 



1. After the death of Alexander the Great, Antig'onus, one 
of his generals, obtained possession of his principal dominiona 
in Asia. But Seleu'cus, another officer of Alexander, and son 
Df Anti'ochus, one of Philip's generals, revolted against Antig- 
onus, and took possession of Babylon ; and by the bat-tle of 
//jsijs, in which Ai2*ig' 07ms was defeated and slain, Seleuciis 
was confirmed in his authority. He founded the kingdom of 
Syria, or Syro-Media, which, reckoning from the time of hia 
taking Babylon to the period when Syria became a Roman 
province, la'sted 247 years. It was governed by 23 kings, who 
were styled the Seleu'cid<s, from the name of the founder. 

2. Seleucus was a great general, an able and popular sove- 
reign, and was surnamed Nica'for or Conqueror, on account 
of 23 battles which he gained. He founded 16 large cities, 
the most famous of which were An'tioch, Seleu'cia, Apame'a, 
and Laodice'a. Antioch, which became the capital of the 
kingdom, was a very large and splendid city, styled " The 
Queen of the East," and also " Tlie Eye of the Christian 
Church." The disciples of Christ were here first called Chris- 
tians ; and this city, at an early period, became the seat of a 
Christian patriarch. 

3. Seleucus, having made war against Lysim'achus, king of 
Thrace, defeated and slew him in battle, but was himself soon 
after assassinated by Ptolemy Cerau'nus, who was afterwards 
king of Macedon. He was succeeded by his son Anti'ochus 
Soter, during whose reign the Gauls made an irruption into 
Asia Minor, and founded the state of Galatia. 

4. The reigns of his successors, Anti'ochus Theos and 
Seleucits CaUinicus, wei*e disturbed by conspiracies and by 
wars, particularly with the Parthians and Bactrians, who re» 
rolled from the government. 

5. One of the most distinguished of this race of sovereigns 
»a3 Anti'ochus the Great, who had a long reign of 36 years, 
ind was as much distinguished for his faults and misfortunes, 
as for his great qualities and successes. His reign was a 
continued warfare, presenting alternately victories and defeats. 
He subdued several governors of different provinces, who re- 
volted from him. In a war with Ptolemy, king of Egypt, aftei 
saving gained many advantages, he lost a great battle a* 
Raphia. He carried his victorious arms into Media, Parthia, 
Hyr-iania, and India. 

6 Anti'ochus was visited by Han'nibai, the great Carthe 



54 



SYR.IA, OR SYRO-MEDIA. 



ginian general, who endeavored to persuade him to make was 
upon the Romans by invading Italy. Instead of this, how 
ever, he invaded Greece, but was defeated by the Romans^ 
and compelled to retire into Asia. Being pursued by a Eoman 
army, commanded by Scijno Asiat'icus, he was entirely de* 
f'eated in a great battle, on the plains of Magnesia, and com- 
pelled to accept of peace on humiliating terms. He was after- 
wards put to death by his own officers. 

7. The next two kings were Seleu'cus Philojj'ator and 
Anti'ochus Epiph'anes, sons of Antiochus the Great. The 
latter profaned and plundered the temple of Jerusalem, and 
attempted to abolish the Jewish worship. But the Jews, under 
Judas Maccahcs'us, revolted, and defeated the army of Anti- 
ochus, who immediately engaged in a design to exterminate 
the whole nation ; but before he had effected anything, he 
died in a sudden and signal manner. 

8. The succeedincr reisns of the Seleu'cidcs exhibit a series 
of assassinations, conspiracies, and contests, till Syria was 
finally conquered by Pompey, 65 B. C, and made a Roman 
province. 



The Seleucid^, Kings of Syria. 

[The figures denote the commencement of the reign of each.] 



B.C. 




B.C. 




312. 


Seleucus I. Nicator_^-» 


144. 


Antiochus VI. 


283. 


Antiochus I. Soter. 


143. 


Tryphon. 


261. 


Antiochus II. Theos. 


139. 


Antiochus VII. 


246. 


Seleucus II. Callinicus. 


127. 


Alexander II. 


226. 


Seleucus III. Ceraunus. 


123. 


Antiochus VIII 


223. 


Antiochus III. the Great. -■ 


112. 


Antiochus IX. 


185. 


Seleucus IV. Philopator. 


95. 


Antiochus X. 


175. 


Antiochus IV. Epiphanes. 


94. 


Antiochus XI. 


-64. 


Antiochus V. Eupator. 


87. 


Antioclius XII. 


162. 


Demetrius I. Soter. 


83, 


Tigranes. 


150. 


Alexander I. — ^ 


69 


Antiochus XIII. Asiaticus cZe- 


146 


Demetrius II. Nicator 




posed by Pom-pey^ 65 B. C. 



EGYPT UNDER THE PTOLEMIES. 55 



EGYPT UNDER THE PTOLEMIES. 

1. Of all the conquests of Alexander the Great, Egypt on* 
joyed the earliest and most lasting prosperity. The dynasty 
of the PtoVemies, which, reckoning from the death cf Alex* 
ander to that of Cleopa'tra, lasted 293 years, forms a conspic- 
uous period in the history of that country. 

2. Ptolemy Lagus, surnamed also Soter, was the reputed 
son of Philip, king of Macedon, by a concubine, and half- 
brother of Alexander the Great. At the time of Alexander's 
death, he was governor of Egypt , and after the division of the 
empire into four monarchies, he became king of the countiy, 
and had a prosperous reign of 39 years. He was a man of 
great abilities, eminent as a genei'al and a statesman, and waa 
also a man of learning, and a gi'eat patron of literature. 

3. He founded the famous library of Alexandria^ establish- 
ed a museum, or academy, which became the abode of learned 
men, and erected the celebrated watch-tower of Pharos, which 
was sometimes reckoned one of the seven wonders of the world, 
He built a number of new cities, and caused decayed ones to 
emerge from their ruins, rendered the canals again navigable, 
encouraged commerce and agriculture, restored prosperity to 
Egypt, and conquered Syria. 

4. Ptolemy Soter was succeeded by his second son Ptol'e' 
my Philadel'phus, who followed, in a great measure, the steps 
of his father, and had a prosperous and splendid reign. He 
founded cities, erected magnificent edifices, finished the canal 
from Suez to the Nile, and promoted navigation and commerce. 
His court surpassed all others of the age as a seat of learning, 
politeness, and the arts, and was illustrated by Theoc'7^itus, and 
other men of genius. During his reign, the celebrated version 
of the Old Testament into Greek, called the Septuagint, was 
made for the use of the Jews, many of whom were, at thia 
time, settled in Alexandria. 

5. Ptolemy Ever'getes, the son and successor of the pre- 
ceding monarch, was a warlike and prosperous prince, and 
likewise a patron of learning. His reign commenced with a 
severe though successful war with Anti'oclms, king of Syria. 
While absent on one of his expeditions, his queen Bereni'ce, 
alarmed for his safety, made a vow, that, if he were restored 
to her wishes, she would consecrate her hair in the temple of 
Venus. 

6. The hair was regarded as the chief ornament of Egyp- 
tiim ladies that of Bereni'ce was particularly beautifal, and 



56 EGYPT UNDER THE PTOLExMIES. 

the sacrifice acquired additional value, as it was a moiiunien( 
of her affection for her husband. By some accident, the con- 
Becrated locks were soon lost, and the keepers" were rescued 
from punishment by the address of the astronomer Conon, who 
affirmed that Bereni'ce's hair had been translated to the firma- 
ment, and formed a constellation in the heavens. 

7. Ptolemy Ever'getes was succeeded by his son Ptolemy 
Philop'ator, whose character was cruel and sanguinary, and 
whose reign was distinguished for an unrelenting persecution 
of the Jews. When he was at Jerusalem, he attempted to 
penetrate by force into the most holy place of the Jewish tem- 
ple, into which none but the high priest, and he only once a 
year, was permitted to enter. Being forcibly prevented from 
committing this sacrilege, he returned to Egypt, frantic with 
rage, and resolved to wreak his vengeance on the Jewish 
people, who had enjoyed many indulgences under his prede- 
cessors. 

8. He published a decree requiring all the Jews within hia 
dominions to abjure their religion, and worship the gods of 
Egypt ; but only about 900 were so base as to apostatize. He 
then commanded all the Jews in Alexandria to assemble in 
the Hip'podrome, or place of public diversion, where he col- 
lected 500 elephants for the destruction of this devoted people. 
But the enraged animals rushed upon the crowd of spectators, 
and crushed more of them to death than of the Jews ; yet 
about 40,000 of the latter are said to have been slain in the 
city. 

9. The reigns of the first three Ptolemies, which comprised 
about a century, formed far the most prosperous part of the 
dynasty. Most of the other reigns were unhappy, abounding 
in crimes and calamities. 

10. The Egyptian kings of the name of Ptolemy were mos^ 
of them distinguished by a surname, by which they were in 
some manner characterized : 1st, Ptolemy Soter, or Savior^ 
so named by the Rhodians, in gratitude for the protection 
which he afforded them ; 2d, Ptolemy Philadel'pJms, or Lover 
of his Brother, so cailed, in derision, because he caused his 
two brothers to be put to death ; 3d, Ptolemy Ever'getes, oi 
Benefactor, so styled because he restored to Egypt the idols 
which had been carried away by Camby'ses ; 4th, Ptolemy 
Philop'ator, or Lover of Ms Father, so named, in derision, 
because he was supposed to have put his father to death ; 5th, 
Vtolemy Epiph'anes, or Plustrious, so styled, though his reign 
was weak and inglorious ; 6th, Ptolemy Philome'ter, or Lover 
of his Mother, so called, in derision, on account of his haired 
of his mother ; 7th, Ptolemy Physcon, or Big-bellied so name 



EGYPT LNDER THE PTOLEMIES. 



57 



from his deformity ; 8th, Ptolemy Lath'yrus, or Chick-pea, so 
called from an excrescence on his nose like a pea; 9th, Ptol* 
emy AuJe'tes, or Flute -player. 

11. The last was Ptolemy Dionysius, who succeeded to 
the throne at the age of 13 years. He had for his queen is 
sister, the celebrated Cleopa'tra, who, having caused him o 
be murdered, assumed the sole government. Her history is 
connected with that of Julius Cassar and Mark Antory. 
She finally caused herself to be bitten by an asp, in order 
to avoid being led captive to Eome, to grace the triumph of 
Octavius. After her death, Egypt became a Roman province^ 
80 B. C. 

12. The queens of the Ptolemies were, according to the 
usage of the country, for the most part, their sisters ; and iheii 
names were Ar'sin'oe, Berenice, and Cleopa'tra. Several of 
them were women distinguished for their talents and accom 
plishments. 



\^ 



The Ptolemies, Kings of Egypt. 

[The figures denote the ccmmencement of the reign of each.] 



B.C. 

i2\\. Ptolemy Lagus. '* 
26:5. Ptolemy Philadelphus, 
246. Ptolemv Evergetes. _ 
'^'A. Ptolemy Pliilopator. 
204. Ptolemy Epiphanes. «_ 
180 Ptolemy Philometer. 
145 Ptolemy Physcon. 
117 Ptolemy Lathyrus 



u^JS 



B.C. / 

101. Ptolemy Alexander. \ 
81. Cleopatra. 
80. Ptolemy Alexander II. 
65. Ptolemy Auletes. 

Berenice. 
51. Ptolemy and Cleopatra* 
48. Cleopatra II., the last sort 
reign, died 30 B. C. • 



58 ROME. ! 

i 
I 

ROME. 

SECTION I. i 

Reman History : Foundation of Rome : Romulus : Numa i ] 

Tullus Hosiiliits : Ancus Martins : Tarquinius Priscus : \ 

Servius Tullius : Tarquinius Superhus, — expelled, and lh( j 
resal sovernment aholished. — From B. C. 753 to 509. 

1. In the delineation of ancient history, Rome, the last of 

lOe four great empires of antiquity, becomes, after the con ; 
ijUest of Greece, the leading object of attention. It rose gcad. i 
u :.lly from small beginnings to almost universal empire, sur- j 
\ "-ssing, in the extent of its dominions, in military power, and '■ 
ir the stability and strength of its government, all the great 
so 'fereignties that had preceded it. Its history is fruitful in 
gr cat events and illustrious personages ; and from it statesnien 
anv/ philosophers, of different periods and countries, have drawn , 
facs to support their I'espective speculations and theories. The ] 
hisi^iry of this empire, in its progress and decline, involves a ' 
colLieral account of all other nations of antiquity, which, in 
'ihos, periods, are particularly deserving of attention. vl''^ 

2. During the reign of the kings, and the early years of the q ( 
repu! tic, the Roman territories extended only about 15 or 20 j____ 
miles around the capital ; and, for about 400 years after theT|^ ^ 
found tion of the city, the commonwealth was of very limited' ^^ — ^ 
extent It then made a rapid progress towards universal do- 
minioi ; and, about 50 years before the Christian era, it had 
reduce I to its authority almost all the civilized world. This 
univen xl empire continued till the 5th century, when it began 
to be b oken ; and, towards the end of that century, the West- 
em En pire became extinct. The Eastern Empire subsisted , i 
till aboi t the middle of the 15th century, when Constantinople 1^ 
was tak n by the Turks. ; 

3. Tie early history of the Romans, like that of ether an- 
cient naions, is mixed with fable, and what has been exten- i 
eively received as an authentic account of the early ages is far { 
from beuig entitled to full credit. That a considerable mixture j 
of fiction must be blended with the history of the first three or 
four centuries, will appear more than probable when we con- 
sider, that the earliest writer on Roman affairs, whose works i 
are extant, flourished nearly 600 years after the foundation of 

the city ; that the Romans were not a literary people till the i 
time of the conquest of Greece ; that, according to their writ* |m^* 



k'i 



ROME 59 

crs, the records and monuments of their early history were 
destroyed wlien the city was burnt by the Gauls, B. C. 390 ; 
and that many of the narratives, relating to the early times, 
have much more the air of fable than of credible history. 

4. The length of time comprised in the reigns of the seven 
:tings of Rome is justly regarded as a circumstance calculated 
lo throw a veil of doubt over the accuracy of the account given 
of them. Of these kings, three or four died a violent death, 
and one was expelled ; yet the average length of theii reigns 
was about 35 years, nearly twice as great as the common 
average length of reigns in those kingdoms whose histoiies aie 
most accurately known. 

5. It may be remarked, with regard to those Roman His- 
tories which treat copiously of the early ages, that although 
this portion of them may contain much that is true, yet the 
evidence on which it rests is too slender to command implicit 
belief, especially with respect to such narratives or statements 
as are in themselves highly improbable. We can by no 
means place the account of Romit/us and that of Julius Cccsar 
on the same footing, with respect to authentic narrative. The 
history, indeed, not only of the foundation of the monarchy 
and also of the seven kings of Rome, but likewise of the earh 
ages of the commonwealth, contains obviously an intermixture 
of fable or legendary stories ; and the narrative may be re- 
garded as often disguised by the national vanity of the Romans. 

6. According to the poets, yEne'as, a Trojan prince, who 
escaped from the burning of Troy, after a variety of adven- 
tures, arrived in Italy, where he was hospitably received by 
Laf.i'nus, king of the Latins, whose daughter he married, and 
whom he succeeded in the throne. The succession is said to 
have continued in his family nearly 400 years, till the time of 
Nu'mitor, the 15th king in a direct line from ^Ene'as. 

7. Rhea Sylvia, Jie daughter of Nulmitor^ was the mother 
of the twin brothers, Rom'idus and Remus. The two brotheia 
fo iHided a city ; but, having quarrelled with each other for the 
sovereignty, Romulus slew Remus, and proceeded with the 
bjilding of the city, which he called, from his own name, 
Rome. He was elected king, made the new city an asylum 
for fugitives, and, by stratagem, at a public festival, his sub- 
jects seized and carried off the Sahine women for wives. 

8. Romulus is said to have divided his people into three, 
tribes, each tribe consisting of 10 curm ; and into t>vo orders, 
patricians and plehe'ians. He instituted a senate of 100 mem- 
bers, aftenvards increased to 200. These were at first alwaya 
chosen from the patricians, but the plebeians afterwards acciuir 
ed an e:iual right to that dignity. In order to attach the two 



60 ROME. 

classes, patricians and f /ebeifins, to each other, by mutual bonds, 
he established the connection of patron and client. Each 
plebeian had the right of choosing a patrician for his patron, 
whose duty it was to protect him from oppression, and who re- 
ceived from his client certain services. 

9. The king was attended by 12 lictors, with fasces, and 
had a guard of 300 horsemen, called ceVeres eq'uUes, or 
kiiights. 

10. Numa Pompil'iiis, a Sabine, was elected the second 
king of Rome. He was a native of the town of Cures, whose 
inhabitants were styled Quiri'tes, a term afterwards applied to 
Roman citizens. Numa is represented as studious, virtuous, 
and pacific ; and the Romans are said to have received great 
benefits from his government. He softened their fierce and 
warlike dispositions, by cherishing the arts of peace, obedience 
to the laws, and respect for religion. He built the temple of 
Ja7ius., which was open during war, and closed during peace. 

11. TuUus Hostil'ius, the third king of Rome, was of a 
warlike disposition. His reign is memorable for the romantic 
story of the combat between the Hora'tii and Cioria'tii, who 
were six in number, sons of two sisters, three at a birth. The 
Horatii fought for Ro?ne, and the Curiatii for Alba. One of 
the Horatii survived, all the rest being slain ; and, by this vic- 
tory, the Romans became masters of Alba. 

12. Ancus Mar'tius, the fourth king, was the grandson of 
Numa. He conquered the Latins, and built the port of Os'tia_ 
at the mouth of the Tiber. 

13. Tarquin'ius Priscus, or Tarquin the Elder, the son of 
a merchant from Corinth, was elected successor of Ancus 
Martius. He embellished the city with works of utility anJ 
magnificence, built the walls of hewn stone, erected the circus, 
or hip'podrome, founded the Capitol, and constructed the cloa'^ 
C(B, those immense common sewers, or aqueducts, which con- 
veyed into the Tiber the rubbish and superfluous waters of tho 
city. 

14. Ser'vius Tul'lius, the son of a captive female slave and 
Bon-in-law of Tarquin, secured his election to the vacant throne 
by his own address and the intrigues of his mother-in-law. He 
established the census, by which, at the end of eveiy fifth year, 
the number of citizens, their dwellings, number of children, 
and amount of property, were ascertained. The census was 
closed by a lustrurn, or expiatory sacrifice ; hence the period 
of five years was called a lustrum. 

15. Servius had two daughters, of whom the elder was gen- 
tle and submissive, and the younger haughty and ambitious. 
In order to secure the throne, he married them to the two song 



ROME. 61 

ol Tarquin, the late k* .g, whose names were Tarquin and 
Afutis^ and whose different dispositions corresponded to those 
of his daughters. But he took care to cross their tempers by 
giving the elder to Tarquin, who was violent, and the younger, 
Tullia, to Aruns, who was mild, hoping they would correct 
each other's defects. But Tarquin and Tul'lla soon murdered 
their consorts, married each other, and then caused Serviuts to 
be assassinated. Tarquin usurped the throne, and Tullia, in 
her eagerness to salute him as king, is said to have driven her 
chariot over the dead body of her father. 

16. Tarquin^ surnamcd the P)~ond, (in Latin, Tarquin' im 
Super'bus,) began his reign by putting to death the chief sen 
ators, and governing in the most arbitrary manner ; but, by 
his tyranny and cruelty, he soon disgusted all classes of hia 
subjects. Sexius, his son, having entered the house of Co'.la- 
ti'nus, a nephew of Tarquin, under the mask of friendship, did 
violence to his wife Lucre' tia, a woman distinguished for her 
beauty and domestic virtues. The unhappy Lucretia imme- 
diately sent lor her husband and father, who came, bringing 
with them Junius Bndus, a grandson of Tarquin the Elder, 
and other friends. To them she related her mournful story, 
enjoining upon them to avenge her injury ; and, being unable 
to survive her dishonor, plunged a dagger into her bosom, and 
expired. 

17. Her corpse was carried to the public square ; the ven- 
geance of the people was roused ; and, by the strenuous exer- 
tions of Brutus, the senate pronounced a sentence of perpetual 
banishment against Tarquin and his family. The tyrant, 
being expelled from his capital, and abandoned by his army 
was never able to gain a read mission into the city ; and the 
regal government was abolished, after having continued 244 
years. . 

SECTION II. 

2%e Commonweal th : Consuls, CoUatinus and Brutus: Vale- 
rius : Porsenna : Dictator : The Plebeians encamp en 
Mons Sacer : Tribunes : Coriolanus : Law of Volero : 
Cincinnatus : The Twelve Tables : Decemvirs : Appius 
Claudius. - From B. C. 509 to 449. 

1. The regal authority being abolished, a republican form 

of government was established in its stead. The supreme 

power, as heretofore, belonged to the senate and people • but. 

Instead of a regent for life, two consuls were chosen annually, 

6 



62 ROME. 

from the patrician families, as presidents of the republic, and 
chief directors of affairs. Their power was nearly the same 
as that of the kings, except that it was limited to one year, 
The first consuls were Bru'tus and CoUati'nus^ who had takec 
so distinguished a part in the expulsion of the tyrants. 

2. Tarqum was now in Etruria, where he prevailed upon 
two of the most powerful cities, Ve'U and Tar quin'ii, to es« 
pouse his cause. He had also numerous partisans in Romej 
particularly among the young patricians, who preferred the 
luxuries and splendor of a I'oyal court to the simplicity and 
austerity of a republic. A plot was foimed to open the gates 
to receive him, and, upon its being discovered, Brutus had the 
mortification to find his two sons among the conspirators. They 
were brought to trial before himself; he condemned them to 
be beheaded in his presence, and witnessed the shocking spec- 
tacle with a steady look and an unaltered countenance. " He 
ceased to be a father," says an ancient author, " that he might 
execute the duties of a consul, and chose to live childless 
rather than to neglect the public punishment of a crime." 

3. The insurrection in the city being suppressed, Tarquin 
relied wholly upon external aid, and raised an army in order to 
regain the crown ; but he was defeated by the Romans under 
the command of the consuls, Vale'rius (who was elected in 
place of Collatinus) and Brutus. In this battle Brutus was 
killed, and the Roman m.atrons honored his memory by wear 
ing mourning for him a whole year. Vale'rius., after the vic- 
tory, returned to the city, and was the first Ronian who enjoyed 
the splendid reward of a triumph. 

4. Valerius having become arrogant from the honors which 
he had received, his popularity began to decline ; and, with a 
view to recover it, he proposed a law, termed, from him, the 
Valerian Zaw, which granted to a citizen, conden^ned by a 
magistrate, the right of appealing to- the people. This gave 
the first blow to the aristocracy in the Roman republic 

5. For 13 years after the expulsion of Tarquin, the Romaiiv 
were involved in continual hostilities on his account. Of tlieso 
the most remarkable was the war with the Etrurians, under 
their king Porsen'na ; a war fertile in exploits of romantic he- 
roism, and signalized by the daring intrepidity of Hora'iius 
Co'cies, who, alone, arrested the piogress of the enemy at the 
head of a bridge, and of Mutius Sccsv'ola, who entered the 
enemy's camp in disguise, with a design to assassinate Poi*- 
senna ; but hostilities were finally terminated by an amicable 
arrangement between the two parties. 

6. Dangers from domestic disorders were soon added to 
those of war. Tarquin had induced the Latins to enlist in his 



ROME. 63 

cause and approached the city witli his army. The plebeiane, 
being poor, and oppressed witli debt, complained of their 
grievances, and refused to aid in repelling the enemy, unless 
the senate would grant them relief, by remitting their debts to 
the rich. The consuls found their authority of no avail, as 
the Valerian law gave to any condemned citizen the right of 
appealing to the people. 

7. An extraordinary measure was now necessary ; and a 
aew magistrate was created, styled dictator^ who was to con« 
tinue in office only as long as the danger of the state required, 
never exceeding the space of six months, and was vested with 
absolute power. He was appointed only in cases of public 
exigency, -when quick and decisive measures were necessary. 
Be had authority to make peace and war, to levy taxes, to ap- 
point all public officers, and to dispense with the laws, without 
consulting the senate or people. Titus Lar'tms^ one of the 
consuls, being elevated to this high office, raised a large army, 
and, by his firmness and moderation having restored tran- 
quillity, resigned the dictatorship. War having been again ex- 
cited by the Tarquins, Posthu'inius was appointed dictator ; the 
Romans were completely victorious, and the sons of Tarquin 
were slain. 

8. After the death of the Tarquins, and the return of peace, 
Rome was disturbed by domestic dissensions, and the dispute 
between the creditors and debtors was again revived. On an 
alarm of war, the plebeians refused to take up arms in defence 
of the republic. Their language was, " Of what consequence 
is it to us whether our chains are forged by our enemies or our 
fellow-citizens. Let the patricians, since they alone have the 
reward of victories, encounter the dangers of war." At length, 
finding no relief from their oppressions, the whole army aban- 
doned their officers, withdrew from Rome, and encamped upon 
Mons Sacer, about three miles from the city. Here they W'ero 
soon joined by the greater part of the people. 

9. This resolute proce^dure had the desired effect. The 
senate, beirg alarmed, dejjuted ten of the most respectable of 
their order, with authority to gmnt a redress. Mene'nius 
Agrip'pa, one of the senators, is said to have related, in his 
speech to the people, with great effect, the celebrated fable of 
the belly and the members. A reconciliation was broughl 
about. The debts of the plebeians were abolished, and, for 
tlieir future security, they were allowed the right of choosing, 
from their own order, magistrates, styled trih'unes, who should 
have the power of annulling, by a single veto, every measure 
which they should judge prejudicial to their interest. The 
tribunes were elected annually ; their number at first was five, 



64 iiOMli. 

afterwards mcreabed to ten. By them the aristocracy was held 
within bounds, and the fury of the populace was regulated. 
Two magistrates, styled cBdiles, were appointed to assist the 
tribunes, and to take charge of the public buildings. 

10. The neglect of agnculture, which had arisen from the 
revolt of the army, brought on a famine, which caused great 
commotion • but the arrival of a large quantity of corn from 
Sicily produced a temporary relief. At this time, the^ resent- 
ment of the people was strongly excited against Coriola'nus 
who was a man of aristocratic principles, of talents and cour 
age, and who had distinguished himself in a war against the 
Volsci. He advised that no corn should be distributed to the 
people, unless they would restore the rights of the senate, and 
abolish the office of the tribunes. In consequence of the re- 
sentment which these proposals excited, the tribunes brought 
charges against him, and he was sentenced by the people to 
perpetual banishment. He then went over to the Volsci, who 
appointed him their commander ; and he led their army against 
Eome, which was, for a time, threatened with ruin ; but he was 
at last persuaded, by the earnest entreaties of his mother and 
his wife, to lay down his arms. 

11. The proposal of an Agrarian law for dividing among 
the people the lands which were obtained by conquest, and 
which were the joint property of all the citizens, proved an 
apple of discord thrown out between the rich and the poor. 
Such a division of the public lands was demanded by the 
plebeians, but it was strenuously opposed by the patricians. 
The design was repeatedly brought forward before any such 
law was enacted, and caused violent dissensions. 

12. By the influence of the tribune Vol'ero^ a law was en- 
acted that the election of tribunes should be made, and the 
chief public business discussed, in the comUia, or public meet- 
ings held by tribes ; and not, as before, by the centuries and 
curiae . By this law, the supreme authority was taken from the 
patricians and placed in the hands of the plebeians, and the 
JRoman government became a democracy. 

13. Dissensions arising on account of the proposed Agrarian 
law, and dangers from the invasions of the ^qui and Volsci, 
Cincinna'tus was twice called' from the plough to assume tlie 
government as dictator. Having completely vanquished tlie 
enemies of his country, and entered the city in a splendid 
triumph, he resigned his office, and returned again to his re- 
tirement, to labor upon 1)'; farm. 

14. The Romans had hitherto possessed no body of written 
laws. Undv-ir the regal government, the kings administered 
justice and the consuls succeeded them in the exercise of 



ROME, ^ \ 

^ J 

this high authority. But their arbitrary proceedings wtre fre- | 

quently the subject of complaint, and the citizens became I 

desirous of having a fixed code of laws for the security of their ^ 

rights. Three commissioners were, therefore, sent to Greece, ' 

in order to procure the laws of Snhm, and such others as we. s i 

deemed useful in forming a suitable code. ' 

15. Upon the return of the commissioners, ten of the prin- ^ 
cipal senators, styled decemvirs^ were appointed to digest a A J 
body of laws, and put them in execution for one year. This 
was the origin of those celebrated statutes known by the name 

of the Laws of theTioeloe Tables^ which formed the basis of 

Roman jurisprudence, and continued to be of the highest : 
authority in the most flourishing times of the republic. 

16. The decemvirs were invested with absolute power ; and ; 
during the time for which they were appointed, all other magis- ' 
trates were suspended. Each decemvir, by turn, presided for i 
a day, and had the sovereign authority, with its insignia and i 
fasces. They governed with so much moderation and equity \ 
during the first year, that they obtained a new appointment ; | 
but they soon became tyrannical, and two flagrant abuses of J 
power by Ap'pius Clau'dius, the leading member of their body, 
caused a speedy termination of the office. , 

17. One of these crimes was his procuring the assassination 

of Sicin'ius Denta'tus, a Roman tribune, who, on account of i 

his extraordinary valor and exploits, was styled the Roman ■ 

Achil'les ; the other was his villany with I'egard to Virginia^ a i 

beautiful young maiden, who had been betrothed to IciViuSf | 
formerly a tribune. Having seen her as she was going to a 

public school, and being inflamed with a lawless passion, he I 

employed a profligate dependent to claim her as his own ; 
property, on the pretence of her being the daughter of one of 
his female slaves. 

If*, He caused the claim to be brought for trial before him- 
self, and pronounced an infamous decree, by which the inno- 
cent victim was torn from her parents, and placed within hia | 
ow^n power. Virginius^ her father, in order to prevent fne j 
dishonor of his daughter, plunged a dagger into her heart. ■ 
Brandishing in his hand the bloody weapon, he exclaimed, 
" By this blood, Appius, I devote thy head to the infernal ' 
gods," and running wildly through the city, he roused the 
people to vengeance. Appius soon after died m prison by big i 
own hand ; the other decemvirs went into exile ; the decern- •■ 
virate, after having continued for three years, was abolished ; \ 
and the consuls were restored. 



66 ROME. 



SECTION III 

Military Trilimes . Censors : Veii destroyed : Camilbis 
Rome hurnt by the - Gauls : Brennus : Manlius : The 
Samnites : Pyrrhub ; Conquest of Italy. — From d. C, 
449 to 266. 

1. The two great barners which still separated the pafri' 
cians and plebeians were the prohibition of their intermar' 
nage, and the limitation of the office of consul to the patii- 
cians. After a long contest, the law prohibiting intermarriages 
was repealed, with the hope that this concession would satisfy 
the people. But this success, on the contrary, stimulated them 
to urge their claim to be admitted to a share in the consulship ; 
and on the occurrence of war, they had recourse to their for- 
mer custom of refusing to enlist, unless their demand was 
granted. 

2. After a long contest, it was agreed on both sides, that 
instead of consuls, six military tribunes, with the power of 
consuls, should be chosen, three of them from the patricians, 
and three from the plebeians. This institution, however, weis, 
in a short time, laid aside ; and the consuls were again restored 
to office. 

3. The disorders of the republic prevented the survey, oi 
enumeration, of the citizens from being regularly attended to. 
In order to remedy this neglect, two officers, styled censors 
were appointed ; and it was made their duty, not only to take 
the census every five years, but also to inspect the morals and 
regulate the duties of all the citizens. This Avas an office of 
great dignity and importance, exercised for 100 years by pa- 
tricians ; in the later times of the republic, only by consular 
persons ; and afterwards by the emperors. 

4. In order to avoid the evils which arose from the people's 
frequently refusing to enlist in the army, the senate introduced 
the practice of giving regular pay to the troops. From this 
perioa, the Roman system of war assumed a new aspect. The 
senate always found soldiers at command ; the army was un- 
der its control ; the oiterprises of the republic were more ex- 
tensive, and its success more signal and important. The art 
of war was improved, as it now became a profession, instead 
of an occasional employment. The Roman dominion, hitherto 
confined to a territory of a few miles, soon began to be rapidly 
extended. 

5. The inhabitants of the city of Ve'ii, long the proud rivaV 
of Rome, eaual in extent and population^ had repeatedly made 



ROME. 61 

depredations on the Roman territories ; and it was decreed 
that Veil, whatever it might cost, should be destroyed. A 
siege was begun, which was continued, with great exertion and 
various success, for ten years. At length, in order to carry 
it on with greater vigor, CamUlus was created dictator ; and 
to him was intrusted the sole management of the long pro- 
tracted war. 

6. He caused a passage to be opened under ground into 
the citadel, by means of which he filled the city with his le- 
gions, who plundered and destroyed it. Camillus was honored 
with a splendid triumph, in jvhich he was drawn in a chariol 
by four white horses ; but being afterwards accused of havuig 
appropriated to his own use a pai't of the plunder of Veii 
indignant at the ingratitude of his countiymen, he went into 
voluntaiy exile. 

7. The Gauls, a barbarous and warlike people, had long 
before this opened a passage through the Alps, and had settled 
themselves in the northern part of Italy. Under the command 
of their king Breimus, they laid siege to Clu'sium, a city of 
Etruria, the inhabitants of which implored the assistance of 
the Romans. The senate sent three patricians of the Fabian 
family on an embassy to Brennus, to inquire what offence the 
citizens of Clusium had given him. To this he sternly replied, 
that " the right of valiant men lay in their swords ; that the 
Romans themselves had no other right to the cities they had 
conquered." The ambassadors, having obtained leave, entered 
CUisium, and assisted the inhabitants against the assailants 
This so incensed Brennus, that he raised the siege, marched 
directly towards Rome, and, in a great battle near the rivulet 
Allia, defeated the Roman army with great slaughter. 

8. The Gauls then entered Rome, and after a general mas- 
sacre of such of the mhabitants as remained in it, and a pillage 
of the city, they burnt it to ashes, and razed the walls to the 
ground. They next besieged the capitol ; but the Romana 
repelled their attacks with great braveiy. At length, having 
discovered footsteps leading up to the top of the Tarpeian 
Rock, a body of Gauls undertook the difHcult enterprise of 
gaining the summit in the night, which they accomplished 
while the Roman sentinel was asleep. At this moment, the 
cackling of some geese in the temple of Juno is said to have 
awakened Marcus Manlius, with his associates, who mstantly 
threw the Gauls headlong down the precipice. 

9. From this time, the hopes of the Gauls began to decline 
and they soon after agreed to quit the city on condition of re- 
ceiving 1000 pounds weight of gold ; but, after the gold wag 
i)ro'agh% the Gauls weighed with false weights, and the cora< 



68 ROKE. 

plaints, which the Romans made of the deception, were treated 
with insolence. At this juncture, Cami/his, who had recentlj* 
been restored to favor, and again appointed dictator, appeared 
at the gates with an army. Having been informed of the de- 
ception and insolence of the Gauls, he ordered the gold to be 
carried back into the capitol, commanded the Gauls to retire, 
adding that " Rome must be ransomed by steel, and tot by 
gold." Upon this a battle ensued, in which the Gauls wore 
entirely routed, and Camillus was honored as the father of ws 
country and the second founder of Rome. The city, being 
freed from its invaders, soon began 4o rise again from its aslies, 

10. Manlius was liberally rewarded for his heroism ; but at 
length, envying the fame of Camillus, he abandoned himself 
to ambitious views ; and being accused of aiming at sovereign 
power, he was senlenced to be thrown headlong from the Tar- 
peian Rock. Thus the place, which had been the theatre of bis 
glory, became that of his punishment and infamy. 

11. The Romans next turned their arms against the Sam- 
nttes, a race of hardy mountaineers, inhabiting an extensive 
tract in the southern part of Italy. This contest lasted upwards 
of 50 years, and was carried on by the Samnites with great 
valor and skill, though they were finally subdued. Theji 
defeated the Romans at Caudince, Furculis, near Caudium, and 
made their whole army pass under the yoke, formed by two 
spears set upright, and a third bound across them. This roused 
the spirit of revenge on the part of the Romans, who appointed 
Papir'ius Cursor dictator ; and the next year, under his com- 
mand, they gained a victory over the Samnites, compelling 
them, m turn, to undergo the same disgrace at Luce'ria ; and 
by the exertions of Fabius Maximus and Decius, they were 
finally subjugated, 

12. During the consulship of Manlius Torquatus, a war 
broke out between the Romans and Latins. In order to pre- 
vent confusion ia time of action by reason of the similarity of 
the two nations, Manlius issued orders that death should be in- 
flicted on any one who should leave his ranks. When the iwo 
armies were drawn out for battle, Metius, a Latin commander, 
challenged to single combat any Roman knight. Titus Mari- 
lius, the son of the consul, accepted the challenge, and slew 
nis adversary ; and for this act he was beheaded by the stern 
order of his father. The Latins were vanquished, and sub- 
mitted to the Romans. 

13. Tho Ta7-entines, who were the allies of the Samnites, 
sought the aid of Pyrrhi(s,king of Epi'rus, the greatest general 
of his age. He landed at Tarentum with an army of 30,000 
men, and twenty elephants; and the Romans, under the com 



EOME. 69 

mand of the consul Lctvi'nus, not being accustomed to the tiode 
of fighting with elephants, were at first defeated, with the loss 
of 15,000 men ; that of Pyrrhus was nearly as great ; and he 
was heard to confess that another such victory would compel 
him to return to Epirus. His admiration of the heroism of his 
enemy drew from him the celebrated exclamation, " O, wilb 
what ease could I conquer the world, had I the Romans for 
s,>ldiers, or had they me for their king ! " 

14. In the progress of the war, Fahri'cius, who afterwards 
commanded the Roman army, received a letter from the pliy 
eician of Pyrrhus, importing that for a proper reward 'le would 
poison the king. Fabricius, indignant at so base a "roposa!, 
gave immediate information of it to Pyrrhus, who, admiring 
the generosity of his enemy, exclaimed, " It is easier to turn 
the sun from his course, than Fabricius from the path of 
honor ! " — and that he might not be outdone in magnanimity, 
he released all his Roman prisoners without ransom. 

15. Pyrrhus then withdrew his army from Italy, in order to 
assist the Sicilians against the Carthaginians ; but he again 
returned, and made a last eflbrt near Benecenfum, where he 
was totally defeated by Cu'rius Denia'tus. He then withdrew 
to his own dominions, and the Romans, after having gained 
further victories over the Samnites, became masters of all 
Lower Italy. 



SECTION IV. 
Carthage : Sicily. 

1. As the history of Rome now becomes connected with 
that of Carthage and Sicily, it may be proper to introduce 
nere a short notice of those states. 

2. Carthage is said to have been founded, nearly 900 years 
Defore the Christian era, by Dido, with a colony of Tyrians. 
'J'he government, at first monarchial, became afterwards re« 
publican, and it is commended by Aristotle as one of the most 
perfect of antiquity. The two chief magistrates, called stiffs'- 
tes, or judges, were elected annually from the first families. 
The religion was a cruel superstition, and human victims were 
ofiered in sacrifice. 

3. In the time of the Punic wars, Carthage was the mosl 
commercial and wealthy city, and one of the most splendid 
in the world. It had under its dominion about 300 smaller 
towns in Africa, bordering on the Mediterranean, a great part 
of Spain, alsp of Sicily, and other islands. The Carthagini- 



70 ROME. 

ans worked the gold mines of Spain ; they were devote.! ta 
commerce, and had the vices and cliaracteristics of a commer 
cial people. The Romans, who were their rivals and enemies, 
represented them as wanting in integrity and honor ; hence 
the ironical phrase, Pu'nica jides [Funic faith^, to denoLe 
treachery. 

4. Histoiy records the names of few persons among the Car- 
lh:\ginians eminent as philosophers, or distinguished in tho 
arts. The Per'iplus, or voyage of Hanno, an illustrious Car- 
thaginian, who wrote an account of his expedition, afiurds 
proof of ardent enterprise. Carthage produced several cele- 
brated generals, among whom were Hamil'car, As'druhal, an.i 
Hannibal : the last was the most formidable enemy that Rome 
ever experienced. 

5. The Phoenicians sent colonies to Sici7?/ before the Trojan 
war, and the Greeks, at later pei'iods, made settlements on 
the island. Sicily contained many large and opulent cities ; 
of these, Syj-'acuse, founded by the Corinthians, was the most 
populous and commercial, and larger than any of the cities of 
Greece. It was governed, in its early ages, like most of the 
otlier cities of Sicily, by a democracy, but at length it fell into 
the power of an individual. 

6. To Gelon, one of its sovereigns, history ascribes every 
virtue ; but his successoi's being cruel tyrants, the people took 
measures to rid themselves of the regal government. It was, 
however, after 60 years, again restored in the person of Dio- 
nysius, a man of great talents ; but he found it easier to ac- 
quire royalty than to preserve and enjoy it. His son, Dionys- 
iv.s the Younger^ a weak and capricious tyrant, was dethroned 
bj the aid of Timo'leon^ an illustrious Corinthian, and exiled 
to Corinth, where he died, in poverty. 



SECTION V. 

First Punic War ; Regulus : Second Punic War ; Hanni* 
hal : Conquest of Macedonia : Third Punic War ; Car* 
ihage d-esiroyed : Conquest of Greece. — From B. C. 264 
to 133. 

1. The Romans, having become masters of all Lower Italy 
were eager to extend their conquests into foreign countries. 
They had hitherto made no naval conquests, and possessed no 
fleet. Carthage was now their most formidable rival, and the 



N. 



ROME. 71 

greatest maritim 3 power in the world, possessing an extens.ve 
sway over all the commercial towns of the Mediterranean. 
The Carthaginians were rich in merchandise, in silver and ^ 
gold : the Romans were comparatively poor, hut preeminen 
in patriotism and valor, and ambitious of conquest. 

2. The Mamerti?ies, a people of Campa'nia, obtained assist- 
ance of the Romans in a war with Hi'ero, tyrant of Syracuse. 
7'he vSyracusans being at first assisted by the Carthaginians, a 
1^ar was brought on between the latter and the Romans, styled 
the Jir St Punic WakT^ u^he object, at first, of both parties, wna 
merely to obtain possession of Messa'na, in order to commarid 
the passage of the straits, which took their name from that 
city ; but it soon became a contest for the sovereignty of the 
whole island, and the dominion of the sea's. 

3. The Romans now earnestly applied themselves to mari- 
time affairs. A Carthaginian vessel, which happened, in a 
storm, to be driven ashore, served as a model ; and within 
two months, a fleet, consisting of upwards of 100 vessels, of a 
rude construction, was prepared, of which the command was 
given to the consul Duil'liiis, who defeated the Carthaginians, 
and took 50 of their vessels. Soon after the commencement 
of the war, the Syracusans, changing their course, joined the 
Romans, and Agrigen'tum was taken from the Carthaginians. 

4. The Romans increased their naval force to upwards of 
300 galleys, and gained another great victory, off the coast of 
Sicilyj'^over the Carthaginians, who then made an offer of 
peace ; but it was rejected. The consul Reg'xdus^ with an 
army, soon landed on the coast of Africa, defeated the Cartha- 
ginians, and appeared before the gates of the capital. Here, 
being met by the Carthaginians, under the command of Xan- 
thip'pxis, a Spartan, he was totally defeated, and taken prisoner. 
He was afterwards sent with the Carthaginian ambassadors to 
Rome, in order to procure peace, under an oath to return if 
the negotiation should fail. Regulus, thinking the terms not 
advantageous to his country, strenuously opposed their being 
accepted, and returned to Carthage, where he was put to death 
«'ith the most cruel tortures. 

5. The war continued to rage in Sicily with various suc- 
cess ; but the Romans finally prevailed, and the Carthagini- 
ans were ccmj/elled to accept of humiliating terms of peace. 
I^hey agreed to abandon Sicily, to pay the Romans 3,200 tal- ^ 
ents, and release their captives. Sicily was now declared a 
Roman province, but Syracuse still maintained its independent 
government. After the close of this war, the Romans made a 
conquest of Cisal'pine Gaul. -X 1 "^ 

6. The pevice between the Romans and Carthaginians lasted 



7? KOME. 

23 years ; and during a part of this period, the temple of 
Jwnus was shut I'or the first time since the reign of Numa. »/ 

7. The most distinguished Carthaginian commander in the 
first Punic war was Hami/'car, who was the father of Han' 
nibal^ and who trained his son to war, and made him swear, 
wlien \ery young, a perpetual enmity to the Roman name. 
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of antiquity, and at 
the early age of 26 years, was raised to the chief command 
of the Carthaginian army. He commenced the second Punic 

War by besieging Saguntum, a city of Spain in alliance with 
the Romans. Af:er a siege of seven months, the desperate in- 
habitants set fire to the city, and perished in the flames. 

8. Hannibal now formed the bold design of carrying the 
war into Italy, and by an arduous and toilsome m.arch, he led 
his army over the Pyr'enres^ and afterwards over tlie Alps, and 
gained four great victories, — the first over Scip'io, near the 
Tici'nus ; the second over Sempro'nius, near the Tre'hia ; the 
diird over Flamin ius, near lake Thrasytne'tms ; and the fourth 
over Mviil'iiis and Varro, at Cannes. The last was the most 
memorable defeat that the Romans ever suffered. According 
to Livy, 50,000, and, according to Polybius, no less than 70,000, 
of their troops were left dead on the field, together with the 
consul iEmilius. Among the slain were 5,000 or 6,000 
Roman knights, the greater part of the whole body ; and 
Hannibal is said to have sent to Carthage three bushels of gold 
rings, which they wore on their fingers. 

9. Hannibal has been censured for not making the best use 
of this great victory by immediately attacking Rome, and, in- 
stead of doing this, for leading his troops into winter-quarters, 
at Cap'ua, where they were corrupted and enervated by dissi- 
pation in that luxurious city. 

10. The Romans, being now guided by the counsels of the 
sagacious and prudent Fa'bius Max'imus, concentrated their 
strength. The chief command of their armies was given to 
Fabius, styled the Shield, and to Marcellus, the Sword of 
Rome. The good fortune of Hannibal now forsook him ; and 
ho remained 13 years in Italy, after the battle of Cannse, with- 
out gaining any signal advantage. At the siege of Nola, he 
was repulsed by Marcellus with considerable loss, and his 
army was harassed and weakened by Fabius. 

11. Syracuse, which had taken part with Carthage, was os' 
«ieged by Marcellus, and after being defended for three year?, 
by the inventive genius of the celebrated mathematician Av' 
i-Jiime'des, it was at last compelled to surrender. This even? 
out an end to the kingdom of Syracuse, which now became » 



ROME. 73 

part of the Roman province of Sicily. A large army of Car- 
thaginians was sent from Spain into Italy under the command 
of AsUlrubal, tiie brother of Hannibal, who was defeated with 
great slaughter by the Romans, under the command of thfc 
consuls Liry and Nero, near the small river Metau'rus, which 
empties into the Tyrrhene sea. 

12. Scip'io, afterwards surnamed Africa'nus, having con- 
quered Spain, passed over into Africa, with a Roman arniy, 
and carried havoc and devastation to the walls of Carthage. 
Alarmed for the fate of their empire, the Carthaginians imme- 
iliately recalled Hannibal from Italy. These two great com- 
manders, Hannibal and Scipio, at tlie head of their respective 
armies, fought on the plains of Zama a memorable battle, in 
which the Carthaginians were totally defeated. A peace soon 
followed, the conditions of which were, that Carthage should 
abandon Spain, Sicily, and all the other islands in the Mediter- 
ranean, surrender all their prisoners, give up their whole fleet, 
except ten galleys, and, in future, undertake no war without 
the consent of the Romans. Thus terminated the second Pu- 
nic war,' in the humiliation of Carthage, after having continued 
for 17 years. 

13. Hannibal afterwards fled from his country, and passed 
the last 13 years of his life in Syria and Bithynia. During his 
exile, Scipio resided a while in the same country, and many 
friendly conversations passed between them ; in one of which 
the Roman is said to have asked the Carthaginian " whom he 
thought the greatest general." Hannibal immediately replied, 
" Alexander ; because that, with a small body of men, he had 
defeated very numerous armies, and had overrun a great part 
of the world." " And who do you think deserves the next 
place } " continued the Roman. " Pyrrhus," replied the oth- 
er ; " he first taught the method of forming a camp to the best 
advantage. Nobody knew better how to choose, or post 
guards more properly." " And whom do you place next to 
those } " said Scipio. " Myself," said Hannibal ; at which 
Scipio asked, with a smile, " Where, then, would you have 
placed yourself, if you had conquered me } " " Above Alex- 
ander," replied the Carthaginian, " above Pyrrhus, ai^d above 
all other gsnerals." 

14. While engaged in hostilities with the Carthaginians, the 
Romans prosecuted the first Macedonian War, which termi- 
nated in the defeat of king Philip, in the battle of Cynoceph'a- 
le. Not long afterwards, a Roman army, under Scip'io, sur» 
named Asiat'icus, invaded Syria, and, in the battle of Magnesia 
defeated Anti'oelms the Great. The second Macedonian Wat 



74 ROME. 

followed, which terminated in the defeat of Pet 'sens, the laa 
king of that country, in the battle of Pydna, and the reduction 
of Macedonia to a Roman province. ^*f~\ 

15. About 50 years after the conclusion of the second Punic 
war, the Carthaginians attempted to repel the Numidians, who 
made incursions into a territory claimed by the former. The 
Romans, pretending this was a violation of their treaty, la:d 
hold of it as a pretext for commencing the third Punic TFar, 
with a determination to effect the entire destruction of Car- 
thage. Por'cius Cato, the censor, who now swayed the de^ j 
cisions of the senate, had long cherished this savage design, '\ 
and had been in the habit of concluding his speeches with | 
this expression ; Delenda est Carthago, " Carthage must be | 
destroyed." 

16. The Carthaginians, conscious of their inability to resist 
the Romans, offered every submission, and were ready even 

to acknowledge themselves subjects of Rome. They yielded ^ 

up, to the demand of the Romans, their ships, their arms, and \ 
munitions of war. They were then required to abandon the 
city, in order that it might be destroyed. This demand was 

heard by the inhabitants with a mixed feeling of indignation ; 

and despair ; but the spirit of liberty and independence not be- \ 

ing yet extinct, they were roused to make the most strenuous j 

efforts, having resolved to sacrifice their lives rather than to j 

obey the barbarous mandate. \ 

17. After the most desperate resistance for three years, the I 
city was at last taken by Scipio, the second Africanus, and, 'i 
being set on fire, the flames continued to idge during 17 days. | 
Thus was Carthage, with its walls and buildings, the habita- j 
tions of 700,000 people, razed to its foundations. Such of the I 
inhabitants as disdained to surrender themselves prisoners of ' 
M^ar, were either massacred or perished in the flames. The ? 
scenes of horror were such as to force tears even from the -f^o*!/!;, • 
man general. . ' ^i 

18. The year in wtich this barbarous transaction took place j 
was signalized by the taking of Cor'inth, and the leduction of ' 
Greece to a Roman province. And a few years afterwards,] ^Aj 
Numan'tia, in Spain, after a tremettdous siege, fell into the^ | 
hands of the Romans. ; 



X 



1 



ROME. 15 



SECTION VI. 

TJie GraccM : Jugurtha : Social War : Milh idates : Mai hif 
andSylla: Servile War: Consjnracy of Catiline. — From ' 

B. C. 133 to 63. I 

i 

1. The Romans had hitherto been characterized by temper- 
nn3C, severity of manners, military enterprise, and public 
spirit ; but they were not as yet a literary people, and tiie aiis 

and sciences had been but little cultivated by them. Theso \ 

were now introduced from Greece ; and the period of the sub' 1 

jugation of that country is the era of the dawn of taste and lit ! 

erature in Rome. Acquaintance with foreign nations, and the ] 

introduction of foreign wealth, began also, at this period, to in- ] 

troduce luxury and corruption of manners. I 

2. The power of Rome was now widely extended ; her arms 
had been everywhere triumphant ; and by the destruciion of 
Carthage she was freed from the fear of a rival. But when 
there was no longer a foreign object to excite apprehension, \ 
she began to be torn by domestic dissensions, which continued, ' 
in various forms, to distract the state, till the final dissolution ' 
o^ the commonwealth. | 

3. Tibe'rius and Ca'ius Grac'chvs, men of eloquence and , 
in.luence, distinguished themselves by asserting the claims of ; 
the people. Tiberius, the elder of the two brothers, being a '■, 
tribune, attempted to check the power of the patricians, and ; 
abridge their overgrown estates, by reviving the Licinian law, \ 
which ordained that no citizen should possess more than 500 I 
acres of the public lands. A tumult was the consequence, in 
which Tiberius, together with 300 of his friends, was killed h)| ) Ji 
the forum by the senators. I 

4. This fatal example did not deter his brother Caius from 
pursuing a similar career, in endeavoring to maintain, by 
force, the privileges of the people, against the encroachments ' 
i)f the senate. But, like his brother, he fell a victim to the at- 
tempt, with 3,000 of his partisans, who were slaughtered in the . 
•streets of Rome by the consul Opim'ius. ■ • >^ j 

5. Jugur'tha, a grandson of Masinis'sa^ attempted to usurp : 
the crown of Numid'ia by destroying his cousins, Hiemp'sal ' 
and Adher'bal, grandsons also of Masinissa, and sons of the de- 
ceased king Micip'sa. He murdered the elder, but Adherbal, \ 
the yoimger, escaping, applied to Rome for aid ; but the sen- • 
ate, bedng bribed by Jugurtha, divided the kmgdom between 

the two. Jugurtha, having defeated and slain his cousin, seized j 

the whole kingdom ; but he excited against himself the yen ' 

geance of the Romans. i 



76 ROME. 

6. War being declared against him, the Roman armj' was 
at first 3ommanded by Metellus ; but the celebrated Ma'rius 
having supplanted and succeeded him in command, gained two \ 
great victories over Jugurtha, who was taken prisoner, led in ' 
chains to Rome, and, after having graced the triumph of the . / 
conqueror, was confined in a dungeon, where he was starved Qv 
to deatli. Marius afterwards led the Roman army against the 
Tf:u mes and Cinibri, and defeated them with great slaughter. \ 'j^'^ 

7. A confederacy of the states of Italy against Rome, to 
o.)tain the rights of citizenship, gave rise to the Social JVar^ ■, 
vvhich continued to rage for several years, and is said to have I 
caused the destruction of about 300,000 men. It was ended j 
by conceding the rights of citizenship to all such as should re- 
turn to their allegiance. . ^ 

8. MHlirida'tes, king of Pontus, the most powerful monarch « 
of the Jiast, and one of the greatest generals of the age, formed 

a desip-ti of uniting in a confederacy the eastern and northern | 
nations, and, at the head of their forces, of overrunning Italy. 

He began the war by causing about 80,000 Romans, who' ^ 

dwelt in the cities of Asia Minor, to be massacred in one day ; j 

and soon after he invaded Greece. — In this celebrated contest, ' 
styled the Mithridatic War, the famous Roman generals, St/Ua^ 

Lucidlus and Pompey, successively bore a distinguished part. ^ j 

9. Sylla, a man of great talents and an able general, who l^j 
had distinguished himself in the late wars, and was now at the \ 
head of' an army in Campania, was appointed to the chief • i 
command in the war against Mithrida'tes. He belonged to an | 
illustvious family, and was popular with the senate. But his i 
great rival Marius, a peasant by birth, was an enemy to the 
aristocracy, and a favorite with the people. He was now 70 i 
years of age, had been distinguished for his warlike genius i 
and exploits for nearly half a century, and had been honored '. 
with tw . triumphs and six consulates. But his ambition Aag .• 
not yet satisfied ; and he had the address to get the command , 
of the army transferred from Sylla to himself. ] 

10. Sylla, on receiving this intelligence, finding his troops ,j 
devoted to him, led them immediately to Rome, Avnich he | 
entered swoi'd in hand, surrounded the house of the senate, and ' 
compelled that body to issue a decree declaring Marius an ! 
enemy to his country. Marius, being obliged to flee, made 

his escape into Africa, and Sylla afterwards entered upon the '; 
Mithridatic war. Cinna, a zealous partisan of Marius, col- ' 
Jected an army, recalled the veteran warrior, who, after gain- I 
mg a bloody victory, entered Rome, and gave orders for mur- 
dering all the gi'eat senators. After a horrible massacre of ^ 
their e armies, Marius and Cinna proclaimed themselves con }-i 



ROME. T7 

suls, without the foi'mality of an election. But the career of 
Marius was soon terminated by death, and, not long after, Cinna 
was assassinated. 

11. Sylla, after having had a victorious campaign in the 
war against Mithrida'tes, in which he gained great victories 
returned to Italy, and entering Rome with his army, caused 
anotlier horrible massacre, in which his object was to exter'ni- 
nate every enemy he had in Italy. Having obtained the ap- 
pointment of perpetual dictator, he caused the streets of Roma 
to flow with the blood of her citizens. To the surprise, how« 
ever, both of his friends and of his enemies, he resigned the 
dictatorship, before he had completed three years in office, and 
retired to a villa at Pute^oli, where he spent the rest of hia 
days in the society of licentious persons, and the occasional 
pursuits of literatTU-e. On his death, he was honored with a 
magnificent funeral, and a monument with the following epi- 
tfiph, written by himself: — " I am Sylla the Fortunate, who, 
in the course of my life, have surpassed both friends and 
enemies ; the former by the good, the latter by the evil I have 
done them." — In the civil wars carried on between Sylla and 
Marius, 150,000 Roman citizens were sacrificed, including 
200 senators, and 33 men who had been consuls. 

12. After the death of Sylla, the old dissensions again 
broke out between the two parties, supported respectively by 
the two consuls, Cat'ulus and Lep'idus. The latter favored the 
party of Marius, and was also supported by Serto'rius, a great 
general, who was now at the head of an army in Spain, where 
he established an independent republic, and sustained, with 
great ability, a war for several years against the Roman state ; 
but he was at last murdered by Perper'na. 

13. The commonwealth was now, for two years, harassed 
by the Servile War, excited by Spar'tacus, a Thracian shep- 
herd who had been kept at Capua as a gladiator. Escaping 
from his confinement, he placed himself at the head of an 
army of slaves, laid waste the country ; but he was at length 
totally defeated, with the loss of 40,000 men, by Crassns. 

14. A few years after the defeat of Spar'tacus, a conspiracy 
threatening the destruction of Rome, was headed by Cat'iline, 
a man of extraordinary courage and talents, but of ruined for- 
tune, and most profligate character. A plan was concerted, 
that there should be a simultaneous insurrection throughout 
Italy ; that Rome should be fired in different places at once : 
and that Catiline, at the head of an army, should take pos 
eension of the city and massacre all the senators. 

15. This sanguinary plot was seasonably detected and 
C'ushed by the vigilance and energy of the consul Cicero 

7* 



78 ROME 

the great Roman orator. Catiline, at the head of 12,000 mfiu 
whom he had collected, was defeated and slam, together with 
his wlioie army. 



SECTION VII. 

First Triumvirate : Civil War of Ccesar and Fompey f 
Second Triunwiraie : Dissolution of the Commonwealth. « 
From B. C. 60 to 31. 

1. Fompey, who, on account of his military exploits, was 
gurnamed the Great, was appointed to the chief command in 
conducting the Mithridatic War, which he brought to a suc- 
cessful termination. He defeated Mithrida/tes, king of Pon- 
tus, and Tigra'nes, king of Armenia, and reduced Syria, 
together with Judea, to the state of a Roman province. Re- 
turning home, after his splendid campaign, the Romans honor- 
ed him with a triumph, and gazed, for three successive days, 
on due spoils of eastern grandeur, which preceded his chariot. 

2. The two most considerable men now in Rome were 
Pomjjey and Crassus ; the former distinguished for his talents, 
popularity, and military fame, the latter for his enormous 
wealth, extensive patronage, and great liberality. Julius 
Ccesar had, before this time, distinguished himself by his mili- 
tary achievements, and risen into public notice. AVhen a 
young man, he was exceedingly profligate, and had, at an 
early age, excited the jealousy of Sylla, who, discerning his 
great talents and ambition, said of him, that " he saw many a 
Marius in that dissolute youth." Fompey and Crassus were 
hostile to each other, both of them contending for the com- 
mand of the republic. Cmsar paid court to both, and had the 
address to unite them. The three formed the design of ap- 
propriating to themselves the whole power of the state, and 
entered into that famous league, known by the name of tho 
First Triunwirate. 

3. They distributed the foreign provinces among themselves ; 
Pompey received Spain ar\d Africa, and remained in Rome 
Crassas chose Syria, which was the richest ; Caesar took Gaul, 
aikl lie ratified his treaty with Pompey by giving him his 
daughtei Julia in marriage. Crassus, having made war against 
the Parthians, who were commanded by Sure'na, was defeated 
in a battle fought near CarrcB, and was afterwards taken and 
slain, leaving the empire to his two colleagues. The bond of 
union oetween Caesar and Pompey had already been dissolved 
b) the recent death of Julia; the two rivals became jealous 



ROME. "79 

i'>f each other ; each began to manifest hostility and to asp. ro 
to undivided dominion. ^ 

4. On the division of the provinces among the triumvirs 
Ccesar had proceeded immediately to take possession of Gaul 
which was inhabited by many barbarous and warlike nations, 
most of them yet unconquered. Here he had a most brilliant 
career of victory, in eight campaigns, which he conducted 
with extraordinary ability. He contrived to give a color of 
justice and humanity to his bloody operations, by professing 
himself the protector of the native inliabitants against the in- 
vasions of the Helvetii and the Germans. He acquired a 
high military reputation, and great popularity ; and rendered 
himself the idol of his troops by sharing with them every dan- 
ger, and by his great liberality, atrability, and clemency. 

5. Pompey, who had remained all this time in Home, was 
alarmed on account of the great reputation of his rival, and 
endeavored to thwart his views. The term of Cfesar's govern- 
ment being about to expire, he applied to the senate to be con- 
tinued in his authority ; but this body, being devoted to Pom- 
pey, denied his demand. He now resolved to support his 
claim by force of arms, and a civil war was the consequence 
The consuls and most of the senators were the friends of Pom- 
pey. Caesar had on his side a victorious army devoted to his 
cause, and the great body of Roman citizens, whom he had 
won by his liberality. 

6. Pompey had been careful to place in the provinces gov- 
ernors devoted to himself ; but he had no army, and took no 
measures to raise one. Cicero, surprised at his negligence in 
his preparations, asked him with what troops he expected to 
oppose Csesar .'' " I need only stamp my foot on the ground," 
he replied, " and an army will arise." . 

7. CcBsar, having bound his army to him by an oath of fidel- 
ity, led it over the Alps, and, stopping at Ravenna, wrote to 
the Roman government, offering to resign all command, in case 
Pompey would do the same ; but the senate decreed that he 
should lay down his government and disband his forces, within 
a limited time, under the penalty of being declared an enemy 
to the commonwealth. C&isar marched his army to the banks 
of the Ru'hico?i, a small river separating Italy from Cisalpine 
Gaul, and forming the limits of his command ; and to pass 
which with an army, or even a single cohort, had been declared 
by the senate a sacrilege and parricide. On ari'iving at thia 
famous stream, he is said to have hesitated, impressed with the 
greatness of the enterprise, and its fearful consequences, and 
to have said to Pollio, one of his generals, " If I pass this riv- 
er, what 'niseries I shall bring on my country ! and if I do no3 



so ROME. 

pass it, I ani undone." Soon after, he exclainned, " Ihe d:8 
Ls cast ! " and, putting spurs to his horse, he passed ti:e stream, 
followed by his soldiers. 

8. The news of this movement excited the utmost terror ic 
Eome. The citizens reproached Pompey with his supinencss. 
" Where now," said a senator, in derision, " is "the army t'lat 
is to rise up at your command ? Let us see if it will come bj 
stamping." Pompey himself was alarmed, and aware that .\e 
was unable to resist Csesar in Rome, where the great body of 
the citizens were devoted to him, he led his forces to Cap ua 
where he had two legions ; thence he proceeded to Brundii' 
slum and passed over to Dyrrach/ium, in Macedonia. He was 
followed by the consuls and a great part of the senate, and took 
measures to levy troops both in Italy and Greece. 

9. Csesar, having made himself master of Italy in 60 days, 
directed his course to Rome, entered the city triumphantly 
amidst the acclamations of the people, seized the public treas- 
ury, and possessed himself of the supreme authority without 
opposition. He made great ostentation of clemency, said th-ax 
he entered Italy, not to injure, but to restore the liberties of 
Rome and the citizens, and gradually dissipated the fears 
which had been generally entertained of another proscription. 
After staying a few days in the city, he proceeded with his 
army to Spain, defeated Pompey's lieutenants, made himself 
master of the whole country, and returned victorious to Rome, 
where the citizens created him dictator and consul. 

10. The monarchs of the East had declared in favor of 
Pompey, and had sent him large supplies ; and he had at this 
time collected a numerous army. His cause was considered 
that of the commonwealth ; and he was daily joined by crowds 
of the most distinguished nobles and citizens from Rome. He - 
had, at one time, in his camp, upwards of 200 senators, among 
whom were Cicero and Cato, whose approbation a] one waa 
equivalent to a host. 

11. Csesar stayed only eleven days at Rome : being anxious 
to bring his antagonist to a decisive engagement, he pursued 
him with his army, and near Dyrrach'ium an engagement took 
place, which terminated in favor of Pompey, who afterwards 
led his troops into the plains of Pharsa'Ua. Csesar did every- 
tliing to provoke a general battle ; and when he saw his enemy 
advancing, he exclaimed, " The time we have so long wished 
for is come ; let us see how we are to acquit ourselves. The 
contest was now calculated to excite the deepest interest ; the 
lwo armies were composed of the best soldiers in the world, 
and were commanded by the two greatest generals of the age ; 
and the prize contended for was nothing less than the Roman 
emprre. 



ROME. 81 

* 

12. Pompey's army consisted of upward.^ of 50,(X)0 mon ; 

Ca'sar's, of less than half that number ; yet the troops of the 
latiier were far the best disciplined. On the side of Pompey, 
there was the most confident expectation of success ; the rninda 
of till being le^ occupied about the means of conquering, than 
about distributing the fruits of victory. The engagement, 
which lasted fitom early in the morning till noon, terminated in 
A decisive victory in favor of Ceesar, who lost only 200 men, 
while the loss of Pompey amounted to 15,000 killed, and 
21,000 prisoners. 

13. Caesar, on this occasion, manifested his characteristic 
clemency, and the honors which he had acquired as victor 
were soon rendered more gloiious by his humanity and mod- 
eration. He set at liberty tlie senators and Roman knights, 
and incorporated with the rest of his army the most of the ])ris- 
oners. The baggage of Pompey was brought to him, contain- 
ing numerous letters of his enemies ; these he threw into the 
fire without opening them. When viewing the field strewn 
with his fallen countrymen, he seemed affected at the melan- 
choly sight, and exclaimed, as if by way of justification, — 
" They would have it so ! " 

14. The fate of Pompey was wretched in the extreme. Ac- 
customed to victoiy for 30 years, and master of the republic, 
he was in one day deprived of his power, and became a mis- 
erable fugitive. Taking with him his wife Cornelia, he fled 
with very few attendants to Egypt, to seek protection of Ptol- 
emy, whose father he had befriended. But he was basely mur- 
dered in the presence of his wife, and his body thrown upon the 
sand. His freed man burnt his corpse, and buried the ashes, 
over which the following inscription was afterwards placed : — 
" He, whose merits deserve a temple, can now scarcely find 
a grave." In the mean time, Csesar had instantly followed 
Pompey into Egypt, and the head of his rival, which had been 
preserved, was presented to him ; but he turned his face from 
It with horror, shedding tears on remembering their former 
frisndship, and he ordered a splendid monument to be erected 
to his memory. 

15. The throne of Egypt was now possessed by Ptolemy 
and his sister, the celebrated Cleopa'tra. The latter aspired 
to undivided authority, and Cassar, captivated by the charms 
of the beautiful queen, decided the contest in her favor. A 
war ensued, in which Ptolemy was killed, and Egypt subdued 
by the Roman arms. Csesar for a while abandoned himself 
to pleasure, in the company of Cleopatra, but was at length 
called away to suppress a revolt of Pharnaces, the son oi 
Mithrida'tes, who had seized upon Colchis and Armenia 



62 ROME. 

Csesar subdued him with great ease, in a btittle at Zela ; i nd 
in his letter to Rome, he expressed the rapidity of his conquest 
in f :ree iwords : Veni, vidi, Vici ; " I came, I saw, I con 
quered." 

16. Csesar now hastened to Rome, which he found in a state 
of great disorder, by reason of the bad government of Mark 
Antony ; but he soon restored tranquillity. Pompey's part) 
had rallied their forces in Africa, under the command of Cai.a 
and >Sci]jio, assisted by Juba, king of Maurita'nia. Cresar pur- 
Jilt d them thither, and gained a complete victory in the battle 
of T/tajwws. Cato, who was a rigid Stoic and a stern republi 
can, shut himself up in Uiica, where he meditated a bi-ave 
resistance ; but, perceiving all was lost, he killed himself in 
despair. — ^ 

17. The war in Africa being thus ended, Ca-sar returned 
again to \^orae, and celebrated a most magnificent triumph, 
which lasted four days : the first was for Gaul ; the second for 
Egypt ; the third for his victories in Asia ; and the fourth for 
liis victory over Juba. He distributed liberally rewards to his 
veteran soldiers and officers, and to the citizens ; he treated 
the people with combats of elephants, and engagements be- 
tween parties of cavalry and infantry ; and he entertained 
them at a public feast, at which 20,000 couches were placed 
for the guests. The multitude, intoxicated by these allure- 
ments of pleasure, cheerfully yielded up their liberties to their 
great enslaver. The senate and people vied v/ith each other 
in acts of servility and adulation. He was hailed ya^/ier of his 
country, was created perpetual dictator, received the title of 
imperator or emperor, and his person was declared sacred. 

18. After having settled affairs at Rome, he found him- 
self obliged to go again into Spain, where Labie'nus and the 
two sons of Pompey had raised an army against him ; but he 
completely defeated them in the obstinate and bloody battle 
of Mu7ida, which decided the fate of the adherents of his 
rival 

19. Having now acquired, by the force of his arms, the 
whole Roman empire, and subdued all who opposed his usur- 
pation, Csesar returned to Rome the master of the world, ^t 
no usurper ever used his power with greater wisdom and mod- 
eiation. " Iwill not," he said, in one of his speeches, " re- 
new the massacres of Sylla and Marius, the very remembrance 
of which is shocking to me. Now that my enemies are sub- 
dued, I will lay aside the sword, and endeavor, solely by my 
good offices, to gain over those who continue to hate me." 
He pardoned all who had carried arms against him, made na 
dig.inction with regard to parties, devoted himself to the ptos 



ROME. 83 

perity and happiness of the people, corrected abuses, txteuded 
his care to the most distant provinces, reformed the calendar, 
undertook to drain the Pontine marslies, to improve the navi. 
gation of the Tiber, and to embellish the city ; and he con- 
ceived many noble projects wliich he was not destined to 
realize. 

20. Though Caesar had repeatedly refused the crown when 
offered, by Mark Antony, to his acceptance, yet a rumor waa 
widely cii'culated that he aspired to the name of an office of 
which he enjoyed all the splendid realities ; and the fresh 
honors which the senate continued to heap upon him were 
calculated to excite the envy and jealousy of a body of men 
who conspired against his life : nor could he, by his clemency 
and munificence, obliterate from the minds of the people the 
remembrance of their former constitution, or of the manner in 
which he had obtained his power. The conspiracy which was 
now formed against him embraced no less than 60 senators ; 
and at the head of it were Bnifus and Cassias, men whose 
lives had been spared by the conc[ue)'or after the battle of Phar- 
salia. The former, who was beloved by Csesar, and had re- 
ceived from him numerous favors, was actuated by hatred, nof 
of the tyrant, but of tyranny, and sought the equivocal repu- 
tation of sacrificing all the ties of friendship and gratitude to 
the love of liberty and of his country. The latter thirsted fo' 
revenge against an envied and hated superior. 

21. The rumor that the crown was to be conferred upon the 
dictator on the ides [15th] of March, induced the conspira- 
tors to fix upon that day for the execution of their designs ; 
and no sooner had Caesar taken his seat in the senate-house, 
than he was assailed by their daggers. He defended himself 
for a while with vigor, till, on a sudden, seeing Brutus among 
the assailants, and being astonished at the desertion of his 
friend, he uttered the celebrated exclamation, Et tu Brute ! 
" And you, too, Brutus ! " when, muffling up his face with his 
mantle, he resigned himself to his fate, and fell pierced with 
23 wounds. Thus perished Julius Ccesar, In the 56th year of 
his age, 14 years after he commenced his career of conquest 
m Gai4, and after having been only about five months in the 
undisputed possession of that power, whxch it had been the ob- 
ject of his life to obtain. 

22. Csesar was one of the most extraordinary men tliat have 
appeared in history, uniting the threefold character of the his- 
torian, the warrior, and the statesman. Although, as the sub- 
verter of the liberties of his country, he deserves only to be 
detested, yet he is not without claims to admiration ; for, to- 
gether with his unbounded ambition, he possessed the most 



84 ROME. 

splendid endowments of genius, and many noble qualities of 
the heart ; and the world has scarcely seen a more able or a 
more amiable despot. 

23. His career was indeed bloody, mvolving in destruction 
vast numbers of his species ; yet he had no tendency to cru- 
elty, except so far as it was necessary to effect his ambitious 
designs, nor any thirst for blood ; and he was always distin- 
guished for his clemency to a vanquished enemy. It has beer 
said, by way of apology for him, that it was his misfortune to 
be born in a degenerate age : it was, however, the age in whic b 
flourished Cicero, Cato, and Brutus, who are ranked among 
the most illustrious of the Roman patriots. 

24. In passing a small village among the Alps on his way to 
take upon himself the government of Spain, before the forma- 
tion of the triumvirate, he remai'ked, that " he would rather 
be the first man in that village, than the second man in Rome." 
He had frequently in his mouth a verse of Eurip'ides, which 
expresses the image of his soul : " That if right and justice 
were ever to be violated, they were to be violated for the sake 
of reigning." 

25. In his military character, he has probably never been 
surpassed. He was so much the idol of his troops, that in any 
important conjuncture, his lieutenant could say nothing more 
impressive to them than, " Soldiers, imagine that Csesar be- 
holds you ! " Alexander was an heir to the throne, and carried 
into execution the splendid conquest which his father had pro- 
jected, overrunning nations sunk in luxury and effeminacy. 
Csesar, originally a private individual, appears as the framer of 
his own fortune, gradually rising, by well-concerted plans, to 
the summit of power, pursuing an uninterrupted career of vic- 
tory, and finally conquering the conquerors of the world. 

26. " We are now contemplating that man," says MiiUer, 
" who, within the short space of 14 years, subdued Gaul, thick- 
ly inhabited by warlike nations ; twice conquered Spain ; en- 
tered Germany and Britain ; marched through Italy at the head 
of a victorious army ; destroyed the power of Pompey the 
Great ; reduced Egypt to obedience ; saw and defeated Phar- 
naces ; overpowered, in Africa, the great name of Cato and 
the arms of Juba ; fought 50 battles, in which 1,192,000 men 
fell ; was the greatest orator in the world, next to Cicero ; set 
a pattern to all historians, which has never been excelled ; wrote 
learnedly on the sciences of grammar and augury ; and, fall- 
ing by a premature death, left memorials of his great plans foi 
the extension of the empire, and the legislation of the world 
So true it is, that it is not time that is wanting to men, but res 
oluaon to turn u to the best advantage." 



ROME 85 \ 

27. The Roman people were struck with horror al the mur- 
der of Ccesar. AlUiough he was a usurper, and had made 
himself master of their lives and fortunes, yet l>e was generally I 
popular. His bleeding body was exposed in the forum : and i 
over it Mark Antony, unfolding the t)loody robe, pronounced a ' 
funeral oration ; and by many eloquent appeals to th^. symjia^hy i 
of the people, he so inflamed their reelings against hi murder- 
ers, that they were obliged to escape forthwith from the city, i 
m order to avoid destruction. I 

28. Mark Antony, a man of great military talents, but of 
most profligate character, Lep'idus, who was possessed of im- ] 
mense riches, and Octa'vius, or Oclavia'nus Ccescir, afterwarda 
Burnamed Augustus, (the adopted heir of Ca)sar, and his sister'a i 
grandson, nov/ only in his ISth year,) concerted a plan to di- ; 
vide among themselves the supreme authority, and formed the 
Second Triumvirate, the effects of whose union were, beyond ^-^^l 
measure, dreadful to the republic. , 

29. They stipulated that all their enemies should be de- 
stroyed, and each sacrificed his best friends to the vengeance 

of his associates. Antony consigned to death his uncle Lu'- | 

cius ; Lepidus, his brother Paulus ; and Octavius gave up the ^ \ 
celebrated Cicero, to whom he was under many obligations, in 
order to gratify the hatred of Antony. The great orator was 
assassinated in his 64th year, by Popillius Ltenas, whose life 
he had saved in a capital cause. Antony caused his liead to A 

be fixed upon the rostra, a spectacle which drew tears from all 
virtuous citizens. Rome was again deluged in blood : in this 
horrible proscription, 300 senators, 2,000 knights, and many 'i 

■)ther respectable citizens, were sacrificed. ■■ 

30. Brutus and Cassius, whose object it was to restore the , 
commonwealth, had retired to Thrace, and were at the head 

of an army of 100,000 men. Antony and Octavius pureued 

ihem with a still greater number of troops. The empire of ; 

th;; world again depended on the fate of a battle. The two \ 

armiss met near Philippi, and, after a dreadful conflict of two : 
days, the death-blow was given to Roman liberty, by the total 

defeit of the republican army. Brutus and Cassius, agreeably ,j 

to a resolution which they had made before the battle, escaped \ 

the vengeance of their enemies by a voluntary death. ' 

31. The triumvirs did not long live in harmony. Lep'idas 

was deposed and banished. Antony having summoned Cleo- i 

Da'tra to Tarsus, to anssver to the charge of having given sue- i 

cor to the conspirators, she came decked in all the emblema ! 
of the queen of love, in a galley decorated in the most splen- 
did style, and had the address to make a complete conquest of 

hira. He forgot to decide upon her cause, gave up the pursuit i 

8 i 



S6 ROME. 

of ambition, neglected all his affairs, and abandoned himself 
to licentious pleasure with the Egyptian queen. He lavished 
on her the provinces of the empire, for which he was declared 
an enemy to the Roman people ; and on her account he di- 
vorced his wife Octavia, the sister of his colleague, which waa 
a'signal for open hostilities between him and Octavius. 

32. A great naval battle, fought near Ac'timi^ decided tho 
contest against Antony and Cleopatra, and left Octavius solo 
master of the empire. Antony, following the example of many 
celebrated Romans, fell upon his own sword ; and Cleopt ira, 
in order to avoid being led captive to Rome, to grace -he 
triumph of Augustus, procured her own death by the poison 
of an asp. 



SECTION VIII. _^^ J 

Rome under the Emperors : The CcBsars ; Augustus, Ti i 
berius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius 

Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. — From B. C. SI to A \ 

D. 96. ^ 

' 1. The battle of Actium termmated the commonwealth '.>] 
and Octavius, now named Augustus, being the undisputeo 
sovereign of the whole Roman empire, had attained the object 
of his wishes. But, though ambitious of power, he was, never- , 
theless, aware of its dangers ; and he consulted his friends, ; 
Agrippa and Mcece'nas, respecting the course which it was ; 
advisable for him to pursue. Agrippa entreated him to restore | 
liberty to his country ; but M^cenas represented to him the ! 
danger of renouncing his authority, advised him to govern ' 
others as he would wish to be governed if it had been his des- 
tiny to obey, and suggested to him that under the title of Casar ^ 
or Imperator, he might enjoy all the influence of a king, with' i 
out offending the prejudices of his countrymen. i 

2. Augustus gave the preference to the advice of Mtecenas, j 
as it best agreed with his natural love of power. lie affected j 
lin appearance of great moderation and respect for the public \ 
rights, paid particular attention to the people, and having i 
completely gained their affections, he used every means to i 
render permanent the attachment which already existed be- | 
tween him and his soldiers. It was his policy to change the 
nature, rather than the form of the government, and he had 
the address to rule as emperor, and yet preserve the appear- 
ance of a republic. 

3. The reputation of Augustus, not only as a warrior, b'll 



ROME. W 

as a legislator and statesman, extended to the renvotest k ng« 
doms. After having arrived at sovereign power, he engaged 
in some successful military enterprises ; but the general charac- 
ter of his reign was pacific : he cherished the arts of peace, 
embellished the city, erected public edifices, pursued the policy 
of maintaining order and tranquillity throughout his vast em- 
piro, and the temple of Janus was now shut for the first time 
since the commencement of the second Punic war, and only 
the third time from the foundation of the city. 

4. Augustus died in the 76th year of his age, after an ilhiS" 
Irious reign of 44 years. His talents were unquestionably 
great ; but the many instances of treachery and cruelty by 
which his conduct was marked, while a member of the trium- 
virate, have left a stain upon his character, and have caused it 
to be generally believed, that the virtues which he afterwards 
manifested, sprung from policy, rather than principle. 

5. The emperor and his minister Msecenas were both em- 
inent patrons of learning and the arts ; and the Augustan age 
of Roman literature has been celebrated by the admiration of 
all succeeding ages. Some of the distinguished men who il- 
lustrated this reign were Virgil, Horace, Odd, and Livy. 

6. — The reign of Augustus was rendered memorable by 
the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which took 
place, according to the best authorities, in the 26th year of his 
reign, and four years before the period commonly assigned foi 
the Christian era. In the 18th year of Tiberius, our Savior 
suffered death upon the cross. — 

7. Augustus was succeeded by Tihe'rius, who was the son 
of his wife Liv'ia, by a former husband, and who had distin- 
guished himself by his militaiy talents. The new emperor 
commenced his reign by a show of moderation and clemency ; 
but he soon threw off the mask, and appeared in his real char- 
acter, as an odious and cruel tyrant. The specious form of 
tlie republic, which Augustus had continued, now disappeared, 
as well as the substance. 

8. The brilliant successes of his nephew German'icus, in 
Germany, who had for his antagonist the celebrated GeTran 
general Armin'ius, and the high favor with which he was 
regarded by the people, excited the jealousy of Tiberius, who 
is supposed to have caused him to be poisoned. He then 
took into his confidence Seja'nus, a Roman knight, who be- 
came the minister of the tyranny, rapine, and cruelty, which 
characterized his reign, and who persuaded him to quit Rome, 
and retire to the island of Ca'precB, where he abandoned him- 
self to the most infamous debaucheries. Sejanus was now in 
possession of almost unlimited power, and after a short careei 



SS ROME. 

of despotism, he was accused of treason, suddenly prec p. fated 

from his elevation, executed by the order of the senate, and ; 

his body ignominiously dragged through the streets. A few ; 

vears afterwards, the death of Tiberius was hastened by stran- j 

gling or poison, by one of his favorites, in the 78th year of his ! 
age, and the 22d of his reign. _ 

9. Tiberius adopted for his heir and successor Calig'ula^O 
his grand-nephew and the son of Germanicus, who com- 
menced his reign under favorable auspices, and his first acts ! 
wer3 beneficent and patriotic ; but his subsequent conduct was : 
50 marked by profligacy, tyranny, madness, and folly, as to ! 
give countenance to the assertion that a disorder, which took \ 
place after his accession to power, had destroyed his under- \ 
standing and altered his nature. He became almost as much ' 
- the object of the contempt, as of the hatred, of his subjects, ; 
He caused temples to be built, and sacrifices to be offered to ^ 
himself as a divinity. He took such delight in cruelty, that he i 
wished " that all the Roman people had but one neck, that he j 
might despatch them at a single blow." Seneca says of him, \ 
that " nature seemed to have brought him forth to show whai 
was possible to be produced from the greatest vice, suppoxted i 
by the greatest authority." He was assassinated in the 4th i 
year of his reign, and the 29th of his age. _ j 

10. After the death of Caligula, the senate were inclined { 
to restore the republic; but, in the general corruption of \ 
morals, which, since the early part of the reign of Tiberius, ; 
had surpassed all former example, and extended to all classes i 
of the people, the spirit of Roman liberty had disappeared. ! 
The army preferred an emperor, and Claudius^ the uncle of 
Caligula, and the grandson of Mark Antony and Octa'via, the C 
sister of Augustus, was raised to the throne. He was a man : 
of weak and timid character, a dupe even of his dopiestics, ' 
and a slave of his infamous vices. - ""'^^"■v-'' \ 

11. The most remarkable enterprise in the reign of Claudius 
was his expedition into Britain, and the conquest of a part of ! 
that island by his generals. Carac'tacus, a British king, after 

a brave resistance, was taken prisoner, and carried captve to 
Rome, where his magnanimity gained him admiration. On 

being led through the streets, and observing the splendor ! 

around him, he exclaimed, " How is it possible, that men, pos- | 

sessed of such magnificence at home, should envy Caractacus j 

an humble cottage in Britain .? " | 

12. Claudius had five wives, of whom the fourth was Mes- i 
sali'na, whose very name is a proverbial reproach, and who, ; 
having abandoned herself to the most shameful profligacy, was 
put to death for her crimes. J?he emperor then married ; 



ROME. 83 

Agrippi'na, who was equally practised In vice, and >ho 
poisoned him in the 14th year of his reign, and the 64th of 
his age, in oider to make way for JVe?-o, her son by a forinei 
husband. 

13. Nero had enjoyed the advantage of a good education 
under the philosopher Sen'eca, and at the commencement of 
his reign, he pursued an excellent plan of government, which 
was laid down by Seneca and Burrhus, (the latter of whom 
\Yas prefect of the pretorian guard,) and which held out the 
prospect of better times ; but he soon got rid of his counsel- 
lors, abandoned himself to rioting and licentiousness, gained a 
notoriety for profligacy and cruelty above that of even all hi3 
predecessors, and rendered his name proverbial, in all succeed- 
ing ages, as a detestable tyrant. Among the numerous victims, 
who suflfered death by his cruelty, were his mother Agrippi'na, 
his wives Octa'via and PoppcB'a, Seneca and Burrkus, also Lit- 
can, the poet. 

14. He is charged with having caused the city of Rome to 
be set on fire, in mere wantonness, that it might exhibit the 
representation of the burning of Troy ; and he stood upon a 
high tower that he might enjoy the scene. The conflagration 
continued eight or nine days, and a great part of the city was 
burnt to ashes. In order to avert from himself the public 
cdium of the crime, he charged it upon the Christians, who 
had now become numerous in Rome, and commenced against 
them a most dreadful persecution, in which St. Paul was 
beheaded. 

15. Nero, who rendered himself no less contemptible by his 
follies and extravagances than hateful by his crimes, was too 
odious a monster to be long endured. A conspiracy, headed 
by Vindex in Gaul, and Galba in Spain, hurled him, at length, 
from the throne. Galba, in a speech, recapitulating his crimes, 
said : " What enormity has been too great for him .? Is he not 
stained with the blood of his father, his mother, his wife, his 
preceptors, of all those who, in the senate, the city, or the 
provinces, were distinguished by birth, i-iches, courage, or vir- 
tue .-* The blood of these innocent victims cries for vengeance 
and since we are possessed of arms, and of power of using 
them, let us disdain to obey, not a prince, but an incendiary, a 
parricide, a singer, and an actor." The senate having passed 
sentence against him, he avoided falling into their hands by a 
voluntary death, in the 14th year of his reign, and the 32d of 
his age. 

16. After the death of Nero, Galha was declared emperor 
both by the senate and by the legions under his command. 
}Je was esteemed a man of courage, talents, and virtue, and 

8* 



90 HOME 

had acquired a high reputation in the command of armies in 
the provinces ; but he was now in the 72d year of his age, and 
he soon became unpopular by his severity and parsimony, and 
by the abuses practised by his favorites. He adopted for hia 
successor the virtuous Piso, a measure which gave offence to 
Otho, his former favorite, who excited a rebellion against him, 
and caused the death both of the emperor and of Piso, after a 
reign of only seven months. Tacitus says of him, that, " lli.d 
he never ascended the throne, he would have been thought, \ y 
aL, capable of reigning." 

17. Otho was then proclaimed emperor; but he found a 
formidable rival in ViteVlius, by whose lieutenants he was de- 
feated, and he slew himself after a reign of 95 days. Vitel- 
lius, being saluted as emperor, is said to have proposed Nero 
for his model, and rendered himself odious to the people by 
his tyranny and profligacy. Vespa'sian, who was now at the 
head of the Roman army in Egypt, was proclaimed emperor 
by his troops ; Rome was taken by one of his generals, and 
Vitellius was assassinated before he had completed the first 
year of his reign. 

18. Vespa'sian was declared emperor by the unanimr)us 
consent of the senate and the army ; and on his arrival at 
Rome, he was received with the greatest joy. He had ri.sen 
by his merit from a mean origin; was distinguished for his 
affability, clemency, and firmness ; and he reigned with high 
popularity for ten years, promoting the welfare of his subjects. 
He restored order, built the celebrated amphitheatre or Col 
iseum, whose ruins still attest its grandeur, cherished the arts, 
and patronized learned men, among whom were Josephus, 
the Jewish historian, Quintilian, the orator, and Pliny, the 
r^gturalisi: 

19. The reign of Vespasian is memorable for the destruc- 
tion of Jerusalem, which was effected by his son Titus, after 
a tremendous siege of six months, the city being taken and 
razed to the ground so that, according to the prediction of oui 
Savior, " not one stone remained upon another." The num- 
ber that perished in this siege, according to Josephus, amounted 
to upwards of a million, and the captives to almost a hundred 
thousand. The wn^tched survivors were banished, soxd, and 
driven into various parts of the world, and have continued to 
this time a dispersed, yet a distinct people, and a monument 
of the truth of Revelation. 

20. Vespasian was succeeded by his son Titus, who ex- 
hibited such an example of justice, humanity, and generosity, 
that he obtained the enviable appellation of the " Delight of 
vumkind:'' Recollecting, one evening, that he had done no 



ROME 91 

beneficent act during that day, he made the celebrated txjla- 
mation, " My friends, I have lost a day ! " During his reign 
happened that dreadful eruption of Vesuvius, which over- 
whelmed the cities of Hercula'neum and Pompe'ii, and caused 
the death of Pliny, the naturalist. Titus died in the 3d year 
of his reign, and the 41st of his age, not without suspicion of 
heing poisoned by his brother Domi'tian, who succeeded him 

21. Domitian was another monster of profligacy and cru« 
elty. He caused himself to be worshipped as a god ; put to 
death the most illustrious Romans, and took pleasure in wit' 
nessing the torture of his victims. He banished the phik)S- 

'ophers from Rome, and raised a dreadful persecution against 
the Christians. When secluded from the world, he })asscd hia 
time in vicious and degrading amusements. He was so much 
in the habit of catching flies, and piercing them through with 
a bodkin, that one of his servants, being asked if any one waa 
with the emperor, answered, " Not even a fly." 

22. After a reign of 15 years, Domitian was assassinated 
at the instigation of his wife, who had discovered that he had 
put her name on the list of those whom he designed to destroy. 
This reign was signalized by the successes of the Romans in 
Britain, under the command of Agric'ola, a great general, who 
had been sent into that country by Vespasian, and who made 
an entire conquest of all the southern part of the island. 

23. Domitian was the last of those emperors who are called 
the Twelve Ccesars, Julius CcEsar, the dictator, being consid- 
ered the first ; though Augustus was the first that is generally 
styled emperor, and Nero was, in reality, the last emperor of 
the family of Augustus. 



^'' 



SECTION IX. 



Nerva: Trajan: Adrian: Antoninus Pius : Marcus Aureliut 
Antoninus. — Fro?n A. D. 96 to 180. 

1 After the death of Domitian, the senate elected for his 
successor Nerva, who was 65 years old, and venerable for his 
virtues, as^well as for his age. He was distinguished for clem- 
ency, but did not possess energy suflicient to repress the dis- 
orders of the empire. Having adopted Trajan for his succes- 
sor, he died after a reign of 16 months. 

2. Trajan, who was a native of Seville, in Spain, is esteem- 
ed tho greatest and most powerful, and one of the most virtu 
ous of the Roman emperors. He has been highly commended 



j*8 , iio:vrE 

for his affdbiiity, his simplicity of manners, his clemency, and 
munificence. He was the greatest general of his age, pos- 
sessed an ardent spirit of enterprise, accustomed himself to 
hardship, and, even after he ascended the *hrone, marched on 
foot, at the head of his troops, over extensive regions. On 
presenting the sword to the pretorian prefect, he gave this re- 
maikable charge : " Make use of it for me, if I do my duty ; 
if I do not, against me." The senate conferred on him tho 
surname of Optitnus, or Best ; and for more than 200 years 
that body was accustomed to hail every new emperor with the 
exclamation, " Reign fortunately, as Augustus ; virtuously, as 
Trajan." 

3. During the reign of Trajan, the boundaries of the empire 
were more extensive than either before or afterwards. He 
subdued the Dacia?rs, conquered the Parthians, and brought 
under subjection Assyria, Mesopotamia, and Arabia Felix. 
In commemoration of his victories over the Dacians, he erect- 
ed a. pillar, which bears his name, and which still remains in 
Rome, one of the most remarkable ancient monuments in the 
city. 

4. He was a munificent patron of literature, and in his reign 
flourished Pliny the Younger, Juvenal, and Plutarch. He 
died, greatly lamented by his subjects, in the 20th year of his 
reign, and the 63d of his age. The character of this great 
prince was tarniftned by a want of equity with regard to the 
Christians, whom he suffered to be persecuted. 

5. Trajan was succeeded by A'drian, his nephew, who wag 
an able sovereign, generally beneficent and equitable in his 
government ; distinguished also for his eloquence and his taste 
in the liberal arts ; but he was, nevertheless, chargeable with 
cruelty and licentiousness. Judging the limits of the empire too 
extensive, he abandoned the conquests of Trajan, dechned 
war, devoted himself to the arts of peace, and promoted the 
welfare of his subjects. He undertook to visit, in person, all 
the provinces of the empire, in which expedition he spent 13 
vears. In his progress, he reformed abuses, relieved his sub- 
jects from burdens, and rebuilt cities. While in Britain, he 
erected a turf wall or rampart across the island, from Carlisle 
to Niiocastl.e, m order to prevent the incursions of the Picts. 

6. He rebuilt Jerusalern, and changed its name to yE'lia 
Capitoli'na. The Jews, incensed at the privileges which the 
pagan worshippers enjoyed in the new city, made a great 
slaughter of the Romans and Christians residing in Judea ; in 
consequence of which, the emperor sent against them a pow- 
erful army, which destroyed upwards of 1,000 of their best 
towns, and slew nearly 600,000 men. Adrian adopted for his 



HOME. 93 

successor Tifns Anfnni'nus, and died in the 22d year of his 
reign, and the 62d of his age. 

7. Titus Antoninus^ more commonly called Antoninus 
Pius, had a reign of 23 years, which was marked by few 
striking events ; but it will ever be distinguished in the Roman 
annals for the public and private virtues which exalted his 
character. It was his favorite maxim, that " he woi.ld rather 
save the life of one citizen, than to put to death a thousand en- 
emies." 

8. This excellent sovereign adopted for his successor his 
son-in-law, Marcus Aure'lius Antoni'nus, surnamed the Phi- 
losopher. He is esteemed the best model of pagan virtue 
among the Roman emperors ; and " appeared," says an an- 
cient author, " like some benevolent deity, ditTusing around 
him universal peace and happiness." He was attached, both 
by nature and education, to the Stoic philosophy, which he 
admirably exemplified in his life, as well as illustrated in his 
work, entitled " Meditations.'''' 

9. Distinguished as the two Antonines were for justice and 
humanity, yet the persecution of the Christians was permitted, 
in some degree, during their reigns. It was to the former of 
the two that Justin Martyr presented his first " Apology for 
Christianity " ; and the Roman army under the latter expe- 
rienced, by means of a thunder-storm, a remarkable deliver- 
ance, which has been represented by many as miraculous, and 
which gave to a legion of Christians, then serving under Aure- 
lius, the name of the Thundering Legion. — The name of the 
wife of each of these emperors was Fausti'na, and both of 
them were noted as women of the most abandoned character. 

10. Aurelius died in the 19th year of his reign, and the 
59th of hi= age. He was the last of the sovereigns styled 
" The five good emperors"; and the glory and prosperity of 
the Roman people seemed to perish with him. From thia 
time, we behold a succession of sovereigns, who, with few ex- 
ceptions, were either weak or vicious ; an empire grown too 
kirge, sinking by its own weight, surrounded by barbarous and 
successful enemies without, and torn by ambitious and cruel 
factions within ; the principles of the times whoHy corrupted ; 
and patriotism, virtue, and literature gradually becoming al- 
most extinct. 



^ 



&t ROME 

SECTION X. 

Prom Commodus to Constantine. — From A. D. l!?0 to 808. 

A 1. Aurelms was succeeded by his most unworthy son Com''^ 
(2-) modus ^ who resembled his mother Fausti'na, and equalled even 

PNero in profligacy and cruelty. He was assassinated in the 
13th year of his reign, and the 32d of his age ; and Per'linax 
a man of mean birth, who had risen by his merit, and who, 
from the various conditions through which he passed, was 
styled " the tennis-ball of fortune," was proclaimed his suc- 
cessor by the pretorian guards. But the new emperor, giving 
offence by his severity in correcting abuses, was, after a reign 
of three months, put to death by the same hands that had 
placed him on the thi'one. 
14 ^ 2. The empire was now put up to sale by the soldiers, and 
*^ was purchased by Did'ius Julia'nus, who was murdered in the 
K..-\ fifth month of his reign, by order of Septim'ius Seve'rus, who 
7-^ was proclaimed ep.peror in his stead. He had two competitors 

- for the empire, Niger and Albi'nus^ both of whom were en- 
tirely defeated. Severus was an able warrior, and governed 
with ability, yet with despotic rigor. He made an expedition 
into Britain, and built a stone wall extending from Solway frith 

- to the German ocean, and nearly parallel to that of Adrian. 
He died at York, in the 18th year of his reign. 

ft 3. Seve'rus left the empire to his two sons, CaracaVla and 
^ Geta^ the former of whom murdered the latter ; and after a 
tyrannical reign of six years, he was himself assassinated at 
the instigation of Macri'nus, who succeeded to the throne, and 
who, after a reign of 14 months, was supplanted by Heliogab'- 
alus, who caused him to be put to death. 
[ C'' 4. Heliogab' alus succeeded to the throne when only 14 
years old ; yet, at this early age, he showed himself to be a 
monster of vice, equalling the worst of his predecessors in ex- 
travagance, profligacy, and cruelty. He was mui'dered in the 
4tki year of his reign ; yet, in this short period, he had ex- 
liausted all the resources of pleasure, and had married and 
divorced six wives. 

5. Heliogabalus was succeeded by his cousin, Alexander 
Seve'rus, a mild, beneficent, and enlightened prince, whose 
excellent character shines the brighter from the contrast of 
those who preceded and followed him. He was murdered in 
/ the 14th year of his reign, and the 29th of his age, at the in- 
/ stigation of Max'imin, the son of a herdsman of Thrace, and 
a Goth by nation, who succeeded to the throne, and who was 






1^1 



ROME 95 

nearly eight feet and a half in height, and not less remaikable 
for the symmetry of his person, and his extraordinary strength, 
than his gigantic stature ; and was also distinguished for his 
military talents. 

6. The interxal from the time of Alexander Seve'rus o that 
of Diocle'tian was filled by 16 reigns ; those of Max'imin, 
Max'imus and Balbi'nus, Gor'dian, Philip, De'cius, Gallus, 
iEmilia'nus, Vale'rian, Gallie'nus, Clau'dius, Aure'lian, Tac'- 
itus, Flo'rian, Probus, Carus, Cari'nus, and Nume'rian ; a 
perioid of 49 years, which furnishes little that is pleasing or 
interesting. The short reigns of most of these emperors wne 
alike disastrous to themselves and their subjects ; and all of 
them except Claudius and Ta^'itus, were cut off by a violent 
death. 

7. The emperor Vale'rian^ in a war with Sapor, king of 
Persia, was defeated and taken prisoner. Sapor treated his 
captive with the greatest indignity and cruelty : he used him 
as a footstool in mounting his horse ; afterwards ordered his 
eyes to be plucked out, and finally caused him to be flayed 
alive. 

^^j 8. The reign of Aure'lian, which lasted only five years, 
-/t^was noted for military achievements. He was distinguished 
for great talents, as well as great severity, as a general ; and 
for courage and promptitude, has been compared with Julius 
Cassar. He defeated the Goths and Germans, who had begun 
to harass the Romans ; but his most renowned victory was that 
over Zeno'hia, the famous queen of Palmy'ra, who was taken 
captive ; and her secretary Longi'nus, the celebrated critic, 
was slain, by order of the conqueror. On his return to Rome, 
Aurelian was honored with one of the most splendid triumphs 
ever witnessed in that city. Zenobia was reserved to grace 
this grand show, bound in chains of gold, and overloaded with 
a profusion of pearls and diamonds. 
_^ 9. Diocle'tian, who was the son of a Dalmatian slave, rose 
^^"^^by his merit from the rank of a common soldier to that of a 
great commander, and, on the death of Cari'nus and Nume - 
nan, was acknowledged emperor. He began his reign in 284, 
and two years afterwards associated with himself in the 
government his friend Maxim' ian ; and in 292, they took two 
other colleagues, Gale'rius and Constan'lius, each bearing the 
title of CcEsar. The empire was now divided into four parts, 
under the government of two emperors and two Casars, each 
being nominally supreme ; but, in reality, under the directioQ 
af the superior talents of Diocletian. 

10. In this reign happened the 10th and last great persecu« 
tion aganst the Christians, which raged for several years. It 



96 ROME 

was more bjoody than any that had preceded it, anJ was so 
nearly fatal, that the tyrants boasted that they had extinguished 
the Christian name. 

11. Diocletian, in the latter part of his reign, experienced 
- a series of calamities, and he and his colleague Maxim'ian, 
resigned the government into the hands of the two Csesars. 
[le then retired to his native country, Dalmatia, and built a 
magnificent palace near the town of Salo'na, where he lived 
eight or nine years, and amused himself in cultivating his 
garden. He declared that he here enjoyed more happiness 
than when adorned with the imperial purple ; and was often 
heard to exclaim, " Now it is that I live ; now I see the beauty 
of the sun ! " vV 

O^' 

SECTION XL 

From ike Accession of Constantine to the Extinction of the 
Western Empire. — From A. D, 306 to 476. 

jU 1. Constantius died at York, in Britain, having appointed his 
^ son Consiantijie, his successor ; Galerius also died four years 
after ; and Constantine, surnamed the Great, having defeated 
all his competitors, became sole master of the empire. One 
of the principal competitors for the crown was Maxen'tius ; 
and historians relate that when Constantine was marching at 
the head of his army against this rival, he beheld in the 
heavens a luminous cross, with an inscription in Greek, Tovra 
piKu, " Conquer by this " ; and that, in consequence of this 
vision and of the success which attended his arms, he embraced 
Christianity. 

2. But whatever may have been the circumstance which 
first attracted the favorable notice of Constantine, he became 
ibe avowed friend and supporter of Christianity, and has the 
honor of being enrolled as the first Christian emperor. He 
out an end to the persecution of the Christians, and also to 
.he coi-ibats of gladiators, and other barbarous exhibitions. 
His reign forms an important era in ecclesiastical history, as 
die Roman government now became the professed protector 
of the religion which it had repeatedly and cruelly persecuted. 

3. An important event in the reign of Constantine, was the 
removal of the seat of empire from Rome to Byzan'tium^ 
\\\ ich latter city, from him, took the name of Constantinople. 
The empire had long been verging to ruin, and this measure 
is thought to have hastened its downfall. Constantine died in 
Ihe 31st year of his reign, and the 63d of his age. His 



ROME. 99 ^ 

character has heen variously represented by different writers. i 
*' It is manifest," says Miiller, " that the genius of Constan- j 
tine, fertile, if not happy, at least in specious ideas, gave a ; 
new direction to the course of human affairs. He maintained ' 
peace by the reputation of his arms . and his name, alternate- j 
ly too much exalted and unjustly degraded by prejudiced his- | 
torians, deserves an honorable mention among the monarchs v i 
of the Roman world." ., "^J>Os . 
4. Constantine divided the empire between his three sons, X.^ 
r'jCCon'stantine II. Con' stems, and Constan' tius II., and two i 
nephews. In the space of a few years, all these princes were • 
slain, except Constcmtius, the youngest of the sons, who re- 
mained sole master of the empire. He had a weak and un- 
fortunate reign of 24 years, during which the empire was 
harassed and weakened by the inroads of the barbarians from 
the north, and the incursions of the Persians on the eastern I 
pi'ovinces. j 
. 5. Constantius was succeeded by his cousin Julian, sur- ' 
/ ' named the Apostate, because, after having received a Chris- , 
jQ j tian education, he relapsed into paganism. He was possessed i 
r of considerable talents and learning, and of many heroic qual- J 
ities ; but was the slave of the most bigoted superstition. He j 
restored the pagan worship, and attempted to suppress Chris- 
tianity. He undertook to reassemble the Jews, and rebuild j 
their temple ; but his design is stated, by a number of ancient j 
writers, to have been miraculously defeated by the eruption of , 
fire-balls from the ground. Julian was killed in a war with 
the Persians, in the second year of his reign, anr! the 32d of ! 
his age. i 
6. Julian was succeeded by Jo'vian, who restored the Chris- 
n) tian religion, and recalled Atlianasius, who had been banished 
by Julian ; but he died after a short reign of seven months. FaZ- 
entin'ian, who was then chosen emperor, associated with him- 
f/f self his brother Valens, giving him the eastern provinces, ', 
3/ which occasioned the final separation of the empire into East- ^ 
■ ern and Western. The barbarians continued to make inroads • 
into different parts of the empire, and the Goths now obtained ■ 
a settlement in Thrace. ^^C^ i 
J C 7. The successor of Valentinian was his son Gra'tian, whc^^ 

on the death of Valens, associated with himself Theodo'sms^ , 

afterwards surnamed the Great. After the death of Gratian, ' 
f "y and his brother Valentinian II., Theodosius became sole mas- 

'^-^ ter of the empire. His reign was signalized by the complete I 

"t rj 8stablishm«^nt of Christianity, and the downfall of paganism in 1 
1 ^ the Roman dominions. Being an able and politic sovereign, 
• (l he repelled the encroachments of the barbarians, and by hia 

^ 9 ! 



98 ROME. 

wise administration, strengthened, in some measure, the em 

pire, which had, for a considerable time, been hastening to its 

fall. He was the last sovereign who presided over both divis- 

i) ions of the empire ; and, after a reign of 16 years, he was 

(■h succeeded by his sons, Hono'rius in the West, and Arca'dius 

J m the East. 

8. Through the weakness of Honorius and Arcadius, tho 
barbarians were enabled to establish and strengthen themselves 
in their territories. The Goths, under the conduct of tre ia- 
mous Al'aric, spread their devastations to the very walls of 
Constantinople, and filled all Greece with the terror of theii 
arms, Alaric then penetrated into Italy, at the head of a large 
army but he was defeated with great loss by the Romans, un- 
der Stil'icho. After the death of Stilicho, Alaric invaded the 
country a second time, and being joined by 300,000 auxilia- 
ries, he took and pillaged several cities of Italy, and at length 
pitched his camp before the walls of Rome. This great city, 
which had long sat as mistress of the world, and had for ages 
enriched herself with the spoils of vanquished nations, was 
now reduced to the greatest extremities by famine and pesti- 
lence. 

9. After the famine had made the most dreadful ravages, 
Alaric entered Rome, deprived Honorius of the imperial dig- 
nity, and gave up the city to be plundered by his soldiers. 
" All the riches of the world," said Alaric in addressing his 
army, " are here concentrated : to you I abandon them : but 
I command you to spill the blood of none but those whom you 
find in arms ; and to spare such as take refuge in the church- 
es." The fearful devastation continued for six days, during 
which, these fierce barbarians indulged their cruelty and feroc-. 
ity without pity or restraint. 

10. Alaric died immediately after this conquest ; and the 
Goths, having elected in his stead AtauVphus, for their lead- 
er, took possession of the southern part of Gaul, and likewise 
passed over the mountains, and founded their kingdom in 
Spain. 

11. A few years after the sacking of Rome by Alaric, 
commenced the sanguinary ravages of the Huns, a barbarous 
people of Scythian origin, under the command of their fero- 
cious king At'tila, styled the Scourge of God. Having rav- 
aged the Eastern Ejntipire, he invaded Gaul with an army of 
500,000 men ; and, on the plains of Chalons, was defeated 
by the combined forces of the Romans, under M'tius (who is 
styled by Gibbon " the last of- the Romans "), and the Goths, 
under Theod'oric, with a loss, according to the lowest a' 
counts, of 160,000 men. Notwithstanding this defetdt^ he 



ROME. 99' 

soon after invadeS Italy, extended his ravages to the gates of 
Rome, and compelled Valentinian III. to purchase a peace 
by an immense dowry to be given to him with the emperor's 
sister Hono'ria. But the death of Attila soon followed, and 
by this event the earth was delivered from a warrior who had 
never suffered Europe to enjoy any repose, and who had nevei 
enjoyed any himself 

12. Valentinian III. being assassinated at the instigation of 
i/P(lro'nius iV/aa;'«;ms, who was saluted emperor, the etripiesi 
Ay Eudox'ia invited Gen'seric, king of the Vandals., to take vcd 

geance on the murderer of her husband. He eagerly em 
biaced the opportunity of disguising his rapacious designs 
landed in Italy with a numerous army of Moors and Vandals., 
took the city of Rome, and gave it up to his soldiers to be pil- 
laged, with implacable fury, for 11 days ; during which those 
monum'ents of art and literature, which Alaric had spared, 
were ransacked and destroyed. 

13. From the death of -Valentinian III., the Western Empire 
dragged on a precarious and lingering existence, under nine 
successive emperors, for 21 years, till it was finally terminat- 

V ed, in 476, by the resignation of the last emperor, Rom'vJus 
I y Angus' lulus., to Odoa'cer., the chief of the Her'uli, who assumed 
' the title of king of Italy ; and from this period the history of 
Rome merges into that of Italy. 

14. " Such was the end of this great empire, that had con- 
quered the world with its arms, and instructed mankind with 
its wisdom ; that had risen by temperance, and that fell by 
luxuiy ; that had been established by a spirit of patriotism, 
and that sunk into ruin when the empire had become so ex- 
tensive that the title of a Roinan citizen was but an empty 



SECTION XII. 

The Kingdom of the Heruli, of the Goths, and of the Lorn- 
hards in Italy. — The Eastern Empire, to its Extinction 
in 1453. 

1. The kingdom of the Her'uli, m Italy, continued only 
about 17 years ; at the end of which period, Theod'oric the 
Great, king of the Ostrogoths, or Eastern Goths, defeated 
and slew Odoacer, made himself master of all Italy, was ac- 
knowledged sovereign of the country, and fixed his residence 
at Raven'na. Theod'otus, the third Gothic king of Italy, was 



100 ROME. 

defeated and slain by Belisa'rius, the general of Justinian, 
who made himself master of Rome. But the Ostrogoths, 
under the brave Tot'ila, recovered their authority, but were, 
in turn, utterly defeated, after iheir dominion in Italy had 
lasted 64 years, by Narses, who succeeded Belisarius, and 
who governed Italy 13 years. 

2. Narses having been recalled by Justin II., the successoi 
of Justinian, invited Alboin, king of the Lombards, or Lo7i'- 
gobards, to avenge his injury. Alboin overran and subdued 
tl;!i country, was proclaimed king, and made Pavia the capital 
of h"3 dominions. The kingdom of the Lombards, in Italy 
during the successive reigns of 22 kings, lasted 206 years, till 
774, when Deside'rius, or Didier, was defeated by Charle,' 
magne, and Italy was afterwards incorporated into the new 
Empire of the West. The period which elapsed from the 
death of Theodosius the Great to the establishment of the 
Lombards in Italy, was one of the most calamitous and dis- 
tressing in the history of the world. 

3. The Goths were originally from Scandina'via, and were 
distinguished for hospitality and heroic virtues. At the time 
of their taking Rome, under Alaric, they had partially em- 
braced Christianity. The OstTsoths and Visigoths, or East- 
ern Goths and Western Goths, were so called from their situa- 
tion. The Her'uli were of Gothic origin ; and the Lombards 
were originally either from Scandinavia or the north of 
Germany. 

4. The Eastern Empire, called also the Greek Empire, and 
the Empire of Constantinople, although it suffered from the 
ravages of the barbarous nations who overthrew the Western 
Empire, yet it resisted their attacks, and subsisted more than 
11 centuries, fiom the time of its foundation by Constantino 
This long period furnishes but few events which are particu- 
!arly interesting. 

5. This empire was in the meridian of its glory m the 6lh 
century, during the long reign of Justin'ian, sometmies styled 
the Great, who published a celebrated code of laws, prepaied 
by Tribo'nian, a great lawyer of that age. This code is 
•~3garded as the foundation of the jurisprudence of modern 
Europe. 

6. During the reign of Justinian, Belisarius and Narses 
the two most renowned generals of the age, defended the em- 
pire against the Persians, recovered Africa from the Vandals, 
and Italy from the Goths, and obtained several great victoriea 
over these fierce enemies. Justinian built the church of St. 
Sophia^ which is now a Mahometan mosque. He and some 



ROME. lOl 

nf his successors patronized the arts and learning, and en* 
deavored to revive a taste for hterature and scienca in Jie 
dark ages ; yet the majority of these emperors were weak 
sovereigns, debased by luxury and vice. 

7. After the removal of tlie seat of empire, there arose a 
rivalship between the pope or bishop of Rome, and the patri 
arch of Constantinople, each contending for the precedence. 
This controversy, which occupies a prominent place in tho 
history of the times, finally terminated in the entire separation 
of the West eim or Roman, and the Eastern or Greek Churches, 

8. In 1204, the crusaders took and pillaged Constantinople 
and proclaimed their leader, Baldtoin, count of Flanders, 
sovereign of the empire. They kept possession of the throne 
till 1261, under the reign of five French or Latin emperors. 
During this period, the Greek emperors made Nice the seat of 
their power. 

9. In 1453, during the reign of Constantine XIL, Ma'homet 
II., at the head of 300,000 Turks, besieged and took Constanti- 
nople, and gave up the city to be plundered by his soldiers. 
He put a final end to the Eastern Empire; and since that 
event, Constantinople has continued the seat of the Turkish 
governmental* 



■^'Tr 



SECTION XIII. 

Roman Antiquities. 

1. Some account of the origin and nature of most of the 
principal offices, or magistracies, in the Roman government, 
and also of the division of the inhabitants, has already been 
given. 

2. The whole structure of the constitution under the mon« 
archy has, upon the authority of Dionysius of HalicarnaS' 
sus. been attributed, by most authors, to Romulus, a leader of 
a band of shepherds or fugitives. Yet it is doubtless true, that 
the Roman government, like most others, was the gradual 
result of circumstances; the fruit of time, and of political 
emergency. 

3. In addition to the divisions of the people, which are at- 
tributed to Romulus, into three tribes, each of them consisting 
of 10 curicB, and into two orders, patricians and pleheinns, fur- 
ther sul)divisions were afterwards ;ri,Jir{H To the three liibfls, 
into which the city was at first divided, Servius TuUius added 
a fourth ; and the four tribes were named, from the nnaj-'era 

q» 



102 ROME. 

where they dwelt, the Pal'atine, Suhur'ran, . CoHatine, z^jti 
Es'quiline. Augustus afterwards divided the city into 1 i 
wards. 

■ 4. Besides this local division, Servius distributed the citizens 
into six classes, and each class into several centuries, or por 
tions of citizens, so called, not because they consisted of 100, 
but because they were obliged to furnish and maintain 100 
men in time of war. The six classes were formed according 
to their property ; the first consisting of the richest citizens, 
dnd the sixth, which was the most numerous, of the poorest. 
The whole number of centuries was 193. 

5. To the two orders of patricians and plebeians, there waa 
afterwards added the equestrian order, composed of equites, 
or knights, who were chosen under the direction of the censor, 
and presented with a horse at the public expense, and a gold 
ring. They were taken promiscuously from those of the pa- 
tricians and plebeians who had attained their 18th year, and 
whose fortune amounted to =^3,229. 

6. There were, besides, some other distinctions among the 
Roman people, as nohiles, the noble, including those whose 
ancestors had held the oflice of consul, pre tor, censor, or 
curule edile, and who had a right to make images of them- 
selves. The homines novi, or new men, were persons who 
were the first of their families that had raised themselves to 
any of the above offices. The ignohiles, or ignoble, were 
those who had no images of their own, or of their ancestors. 
Those whose parents had always been free were called in- 
gen'ui ; and those who had been slaves, but had been made 
free, were styled liberti, and libertini. 

7. The Roman citizens were not merely those who resided 
in the city and Roman territory, but the freedom of the city 
was granted to other parts of Italy, and afterwards to foreign 
cities and towns in the empire, whose inhabitants, thereby, en- 
joyed the same rights as the Romans. 

8. The slaves were an unfortunate class of persons, who 
performed all domestic services, and were employed also in' 
various trades and manufactures. They were considered aa 
mere property, at the absolute disposal of their owners, and 
were publicly sold in a market-place. Men became slaves by 
bemg taken in war, or by being born in a state of servitude . 
criminals also were reduced to slavery by way of punishment. 

9. Kings. The kings of Rome were not absolute or hered 
itary, but limited and elective. They could neither enact laws, 
nor make war or peace, without the concurrence of the senate 
and p ?ople. Their badges were a white robe, adorned witb 



ROME. WRI 

stripes of purple, or fringed with the same color, a golden 
rrovvn, and an ivory sceptre. They sat in the curule chair, 
wJi'f'h was a cliair of state, made or adorned with ivory ; and 
they were attended by 12 lictors, carrying fasces, which were 
bundles of rods with an axe [securis] stuck in the middle. 

10. Senate. The senate at first consisted of 100 mend)ers, 
but was afterwards increased to 300 by Tarquin the Elder ; 
and near the dissolution of the republic, it comprised upwards 
of 1000. The senators were at first nominated by the kings , 
but they were afterwards chosen by the consuls, and at last b) 
the censors. This body was usually assembled three time s a 
month, but was frequently called together on other days foi 
special business. A decree, passed by a majority of the sen- 
ate, and approved by the tribunes of the people, was termed 
senatus consulium. The senators were styled patres, or fa- 
thers, on account of their age, gravity, and the paternal care 
they had of the state. From them the patricians derived their 
designation, because the senate was, at first, composed wholly 
of that order. 

11. Magistrates in general. The magistrates in the Roman 
republic were elective, and previous to their election they were 
called Candida' ti [candidates], from a white robe which they 
wore while soliciting the votes of the people. 

12. The Roman magistrates were divided into ordinary., ex- 
traordinary, and provincial. The ordinary magistrates were 
those who were created at stated times, and were constantly in 
the republic : the chief of these were the consuls, censors, 
tribunes, ediles, and questors. The extraordinary were such as 
rose out of some public disorder or emergency : these were 
the dictator and the master of the horse, who commanded the 
cavalry ; the decemvirs, the militaiy tribunes, and the iiiter- 
rex. The provincial magistrates were those who were appoint* 
ed to the government of the provinces. These were at first 
pretoi"?, afterwards pro-consuls and pro-pretors, to whom were 
joined questors and lieutenants. 

13. Consuls. The consuls had the same badges as the 
kmgs, with the exception of the crown ; and their authority 
was nearly equal, except that it was limited to one year. In 
dangerous conjunctures, they were clothed with absolute pow- 
er, by a solemn decree, " that the consuls take care the com- 
monwealth receive no harm." In order to be a candidate for 
the consulship, it was requisite to be 43 years of age. 

14. Pretors. The pretor, who was next in dignity to the 
consuls, and in their absence supplied their place, was appoint- 
ed to administer justice. He presided in the assemblies of the 
people, convened the senate upon any emergency, and exhibit 



104 ROME. 

ed certain public games. There was at first but one pretOT 
then two, afterwards more. 

15. Censors. The office of censor was esteemed more hon- 
orable than that of consul, although attended with less power. 
There were two censors, chosen every five years, and theil 
most important duty was performed every fifth year, in taking 
the census of the people ; after which they made a solemn 
lustration., or expiatory sacrifice, in the Campus Martins, in 
the name of the people. 

16. Trihunes. The office of the tribunes was instituted 
merely to protect the plebeians against the patricians ; but the 
U'ibunes gradually acquired very great power. 

17. Ediles. The ediles were so named from their office 
which was the care of the public edifices, baths, aqueducts, 
roads, markets, &c. They were of two kinds ; plebeian ediles^ 
who were assistants to the tribunes ; and curule ediles, who su- 
perintended the public games. 

18. Questors. The questors were elected by the people to 
take care of the public revenue. At first there were only two, 
but several more were afterwards added. The military ques- 
tors accompanied the army, and took care of the payment of 
the soldiers. The provincial questors attended the consuls or 
pretors into their provinces, and received the taxes and tribute. 

19. Assemblies of the people. An assembly of the whole 
Roman people, to give their vote on any subject, was called 
comi'tia. There were three kinds of comi'tia ; the curia'ta^ 
the centuria'ta, and the trihu'tOf. The comitia were summoned, 
by some magistrate, to pass laws, to elect magistrates, to de- 
cide concerning peace and war, and to try persons guilty of 
certain heinous crimes. 

20. The comitia curiata consisted of an assembly of the 
resident Roman citizens, who were divided into 30 curice, a 
majority of which determined all matters of importance which 
were laid before them. 

21. The comitia centuriata were the principal assembly of 
the people, in which they gave their votes, divided into the ce?*- 
f,U7'ies of their classes, according to the census. At these comi- 
tia, the consuls, pretors, and censors were created, the most 
jmportant laws enacted, cases of high treason tried, and war 
declared. They met in the Campus Martins, and all Roman 
citizens, whether residing in the city or country, had a right tn 
be present and vote with their respective centuries. 

22. The comitia tributa were an assembly, in which the 
people voted divided into tribes, according to their legions oj 
wards. They were held to create inferior magistrates, to elect 
eertain priests, to make laws, and hold trials 



ROME. 105 

23. The comitia continued to be assembled for upwards of 
700 years, when that Uberty was abridged by Julius Ccesar^ 
and after him by Augustus^ each of whom shared the right of 
creating magistrates with the people. Tiberius deprived the 
people altogether of the right of election. 

24 Priests. The ministers of religion did not form a ds. 
tinct order from the Roman citizens, but were chosen from the 
most honorable men in the state. Some of the priests were 
common to all the gods ; others were appropriated to a partic- 
ular deity : of the former kind, the most important were the 
poniif'ices, the au'gures, the harus'pices, the quindecim'viri^ 
and the sepfem'viri ; who were all subject to the pont'ifex max'' 
imus, or high priest, chosen by the people. 

25. The pontijices among the Romans were priests, 15 in 
number, who judged all causes relating to religion, regulated 
the feasts, sacrifices, and all other sacred institutions, and in- 
spected the lives and manners of the inferior priests. The 
fontifex naximus, or high priest, was a person of great digni- 
ty and authority : he held his office for life, and all the other 
priests were subject to him. 

26. The augures, or augurs, were 15 in number, and were 
of great authority. It was their office to foretell future events, 
lo interpret dreams, oracles, prodigies, &c., and to say whether 
Wiy action would be fortunate or not. They divined the future 
chiefly in five ways ; — from the appearance of the heavens, as 
ihunder and lightning ; from the singing or flight of birds ; 
from the feeding of chickens ; from quadrupeds ; and from un- 
common accidents, as sneezing, stumbUng, seeing apparitions, 
&c. &c. 

27. The haruspices were priests whose business it was to 
look upon the beasts ofl^ered in sacrifice, and by them to divine 
the success of any enterprise, and to obtain omens of futurity. 
They derived their omens from the entrails of beasts ; also 
from the flame, smoke, and other circumstances attending the 
Banrifice. 

28. The quindecimviri were 15 priests who had the charge 
ef the Sibylline books, which were three prophetic volumes, 
«aid to have been procured from a woman of extraordinary ap- 
pearance, in the time of Tarquin the Proud. They were sup- 
posed to contain the fate of the Roman erhpire, and were kept 
in a stone chest under the Capitol. 

29. The septemviri were seven priests who prepared the 
sacred feasts at the games, processions, and other solemn oc- 
casions ; and they were also assistants to the pontifices. 

2f>. The prieipts of particular deities were called Flam'ines : 



106 ROME. 

the chief of them were the Dia'lis, priest of Jupitei '.he 
Salii^ priests of Mars ; the Lupe'vii, priests of Pan ; the Po 
ti'tii, priests of Hercules ; the Gal'li, priests of Cyb'ele ; and 
the Vestal Virgins, consecrated to the worship of Vesta. 

31. The Romans worshipped their gods in temples conse- 
crated by the augurs ; also in groves. Their worship con- 
sisted chiefly in prayer, vows, and sacrifice. 

32. Festivals. The Romans celebrated feasts in January in 
honor of Janus; in February were the Luperca'lia, or feasts 
of Pan, and the Fera'lia, in honor of ghosts or spirits of the 
deceased ; in March, the Matrona'lia, a feast kept by the Ro- 
man matrons, and the Quinqua'tria, in honor of Minerva ; in 
A-pril, the Cerea'lia, in honor of Ceres ; in December, the 
Saturna'lia, or the feasts of Saturn, the most famous of all the 
festivals. There were, besides, many other festivals. 

33. Games. The shows exhibited in the circus maximus 
were chariot and horse-races ; contests of strength and agility ; 
mock fights on horseback ; combats of wild beasts ; repre • 
sentations of horse and foot battles ; and nauma' chics, or mock 
naval battles. ~T~ 

34. Gladiators. The gladiators were persons who fought 
with weapons in a public circus or amphitheatre, for the 
amusement of the people. These combats were introduced 
about the 400th year of the city, and became a most favorite 
entertainment. The combatants were, at first, composed of 
captives, slaves, and condemned malefactors, who were regu- 
larly trained for the combat ; but in the more degenerate pe- 
riod of the empire, free-born citizens, and even senators, en- 
gaged in this disgraceful and dangerous amusement. Great 
numbers of men were destroyed in these inhuman exhibitions. 
After the triumph of Trajan over the Dacians, spectacles were 
exhibited for 123 days, in which 11,000 animals of difterent. 
kinds were killed, and 10,000 gladiators fought. 

35; Triumph. A triumph was a solemn procession, in 
«^hich a victorious general and his army advanced through 
the city to the Capitol. It was the highest military honoi 
which could be obtained in the Roman state, and was reserved 
for those generals who, by hard-earned victories and glorioua 
achievements, had added to the territories of the common- 
wealth, or had delivered the state from threatened danger. 
The procession began from the Campus Martius, and passed 
through the most public places in the city to the Capitol ; the 
streets being strewed with flowers, and the altars smoking with 
incense. It was composed of musicians, oxen for sacrifice, 
carriages carrying the spoils taken from the enemy, the can- 
tive kings or leaders and their attendants, and after the whole. 



ROME. 107 

ihe triumphant general, dressed in purple enbroideifed with 
gold, with a crown of laurel upon his head, and other deco 
rations. 

36. Dress. The most distinguished parts of the Roman 
dress were the toga and the tu'nica. The toga, or gown, 
worn by Roman citizens only, was loose and flowing, and 
covered the whole body ; it had no sleeves, and was disposed 
in graceful folds, to give the wearer a majestic appearance. 
The toffa viri'lis, or manly gown, was assumed by young mea 
at the age of 17 years. — The tunica, or tunic, was a white 
woollen vest, which came down a little below the knees be- 
fore, and to the middle of the leg behind, and was fastened 
tiglit about the wai^t by a girdle. 

37. Meals. The principal meal of the Romans was called 
ccena or supper, which took place about three o'clock in the 
afternoon, and exceeded in luxury everything known in mod- 
ern times. The early Romans lived chiefly on bread and pot- 
herbs ; but when riches were introduced by their conquests, 
luxury seized all ranks, and everything was ransacked to 
gratify the appetite. In the early ages, the Romans sat at 
meals, but afterwards they reclined on sumptuous couches. 
Their ordinary drink at feasts was wine, which they mixed 
with water, and sometimes with spices. 

38. Forum. The Forum was the principal public place in 
the city. It was a large, oblong, open space, where the as- 
semblies of the people were held, where justice was adminis- 
tered, and public business transacted. It was entirely sur- 
rounded with arched porticos, within which were spacious 
halls, called basil'icce, where courts of justice might sit for the 
decision of private affairs. 

39. Campus Martius. The Campus Martins, or Field of 
Mars, was a large plain, without the city, along the Tiber 
where the Roman youth practised all kmds of athletic exer- 
cises and sports, and learned the use of arm.^. It was adorned 
with the statues of famous men, and with triumphal arches, 
columns, porticos, and other magnificent structures. 



ROMAN HISTORY. 



8oq 

Sth 
700 
Ith 
600 

liOO 



bth 



400 

Uh 



apo 



Chronological Table of Roman History. — Ko.X. 
From the Foundation of Rome to the end of the Commonwealth. 



53 Romulus, founds Rome; institutes the senate; divides the 
people into tribes and curia ; patricians and -plebnans. 

15 jYutiia Pornpilius, a p'dclfic l<ii)g; regulales religious certmonics. 
72 Tallus Hostilius. Combat between the Horatii and Curiatii. 
40 Aliens Martins, builds the port of Ostia; conquers tlie Latins. 

16 Tarquin the Elder, constructs the cloaccB ; founds the capital. 



78 Servius Tullius, establishes the census, made every 5th year. 
34 Tarquin, the Proud, disgusts the people by his tyranny : rape of 
Lucretia by Sextus. The Tarquins expelled ; the rcgac 
L- ^operw?n.eni abolished (509), and the Cummomoealth begins. 



y8>"Lartius first Dictator. Contests between the Patricians anj 
Plebeians ; the latter retire to Mons Sacer. Tribunes create d . 
85 Dissensions respecting ./S^rftrfrtTi Laio begin. Coriolanus. 
71 Law Volero ; the privileges of the Plebeians increased. 
56 Cincinnatus Y)'icls.lor ; defeats the Vol sci and JEqui. 
5h(-Decemvirs appointed ; Laws of the Twelve Tables. — 
49 The Decemvirs banished. -|- 445. Military Tribunes createdf 
45 'Intermarriages of the Patricians and Plebeians. 
37 Two Censors appointed. V406. The troops receive regular pay. 



91 Veil taken by Camillus, the Dictator. 

90*"The Gauls., under Brennus, defeat the Romans, and burn Rome. 
8S' Manlius Capilolinus thrown down the Tarpeian Rock. 
-j43 War with the Samnites begins; lasts 53 years. 
^ 38 The Campanians subdued. — 332. Tiie Jlppian Way formed. 
" So War with the Tarentines and Pyrrhus.f 266. Lower Italy conq. 
64 First PvNic War; lasts till 241. — 25o. i^eo-M/ws defeated. ^^ 
22 Cisalpine Gaul reduced to a Roman province. 
f 18 Second Pviiiic War; lasts till 201. .^, 
3d 18 Hannibal defeats the Romans on tlie Ticinus and the Trebia ; 
J_^ f^\l) on the TItrnsymenus ; and (216) at Cann.*:. 
-12 "Romans (Marce.Uus) take Syracuse; and (210) conquer Sicily. 
■f? The Romans (Kero and Livy) defeat Asdrubal at Metaurus. .- 
2 The Romans (Scipio Africanus) defeat Hannibal at Zama. .^ 



97 The Romans defeat the Macedonians at Cynocephale. 

68 Battle of Pydna ; Macedonia reduced to a Roman province. 

49 Third Punic War; ends (146), Carthage being destroyed. 

46 Corinth taken, and all Greece reduced to a Roman province. 

33 Numantia taken, after a long siege. 

33 Tiberius Gracchus slain. — 121. Cains Chracchus slain. 

11 War agzmst Jugurtha ; — concluded (106) by Mariusand Sylla 

>-^ Marius defeats the Teuiones at Aqua SextitB. 



10089 Mithridatic War ; — lasts till 



^ 



-^ 



Ut 



i.,.^_ 



83 Civil loar between Marius and Sylla. — 82. Sylla's proscriptioa 

73 Servile War ; Spartacus. — 65. Syria conquered by Pompey. 

63 Catiline's Conspiracy suppressed by Cicero. 

60 First Triumvirate ; formed by Pompey, Crassus, and Ccesar^ 

48 Civil war ; Casar and Pompey ; battle of Pharsalia^\ 

45 Cffisar perpetual -DicZffior ; — 44. Caesar murdered. 

43 Second Triumvirate ; Octavius, Antony, and Lepidu^. 

42 Battle of Philippi ; Brutus and Cassius overthrown. 

31 Battle of Actium gained by Augustus, who puts an end to the 

■ -■• Commonwealth, and becomes emperor. 



y 



To ascertain the dale of any event in iliis Table, add the <i?ures connecleil with the 
iven'. to tfte century bdoio Thus il >U)pears thai Rome was burnt by (tin Gaula 3.C. 390 



XOMAM HISTORY 



109 



Chronological Table of Roman Histokv — JVo. 2. 

From the end of the Cummomoealth to the extinction of the iVcstern 

Empire. 



B.C 
A.D 



1st 



100 



2d 



96 

t^ 
17 
33 
61 
80 
93 
H93 



200 



300 s- 



63 
7^64 



Ath 



lOO 



5t& 



Tiberius, 2, characlerized by cruelly and oppressioa.-— 

Caligula, 3, noted for profligacy and folly ; is murdered. 

Claudius, 4, a weak sovereiga ; invades Britain. 

Nero, 5, a profligate tyrant ; sets Rome on fire. Peter and Paul martyred. 

Galba, 6, slain and succeeded by [6'J] Olho, 7 ; by Vitellius, 6. 

Vespasian, 9, a popular emperor. Jerusalem taken by Titus in 70. 

Titus, 10. Herculaneum ami Pompeii overwhelmed in 79. 

Domilian, U, a cruel tyrant, the last of the Tmelvcj CcDsa rs, Julius CaesM •y: 

ing the first. Britain conquered by Agricolay^^"" 
Nerva, 12, enfeebled by age ; adopts Trajan for his successor. 
Trajan, 13, a great sovereign. The empire in its greatest extent. 



Adrian, 14, journeys through the empire ; rebuilds Jeriisuleni in 137. 
Antoninus Pius, 1-5, eminent for his public and private vi.'tues- 
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, 16, the virtuous l^toic philosopher. 
Commodus, 17, profligate and cruel ; is assassinated. 
Perlinax, 18, proclaimed by the Pretorian guards ; murdered. 
Didiiis Julianas, 19, purchases the empire ; soon put to deiith. 
Septimius Severus, 20, defeats his competitors, Niger and A/binus. 



yaracalla and Gela, 21, two brothers ; murdered. 
^icrinus. 22, murdered at the in.sligation of Heliogabalus. 
^i.oga'talus, 23, a monster of cruelty and vice; is murdered. 
xander Secerns. 24, an excellent prince ; defeats the Persians, 
imin, 25, of gigantic stature. During his reign, Gordian /., 26, is pro- 
Iclaimed by the army ; unites Gordian II., 27. 
f.rimus and Balbinus, 23 ; both slain. 
trdian III., 29. defeats the Persians under Sapor. 
milip, 30. the Arabian, succeeded by Deciits, 31. 
ffallus, 32, with Gallus Volasian. [54] jEmilian, 33. 
Valerian, 34, taken prisoner and put to death by Sapor, king of Persia. 
*^Gallienus, 35 ; succeeded by [68] Claudius, 36. 
i'Aurelian, 37, a great warrior, defeats Zenobia, the Goths, &c. 
'. Tacitus, 33. [76] Florian, 39. [77] Probus, 40. [82] Carus, 41. 
■ Nuinerian and Carinas, 42. 
Diocletian, 43. The empire divided into four parts, under two emperors and 
two CcBsars. Tlie last and greatest persecution of the Christians 



Constantine, tlie Great, 44, 1st Christian emperor ; removes the seat of em- 
pire from Rome to Constantinople. 

Constantine 11. , Cotistantius, and Constans, 45, three emperors. 

Julian, 46, the Apostate, reestablishes ihe pagan worship, and attempts to 
rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem. 

Jovian. 47, restores the Christian religion. 

Valcntinian /., 43, emp. of the West. I 64 Valc7i.s I. , emperor of the East. —^ 

Gratian, 49. 79 Theodosias the Great. <-_. 

Valenlinian II., 50 ; Goths. \ 

Theodosius, 51, the Great, the last sole emperor of the West and East : com- 
plete establishment of Christiatdty, and downfall of paganism. 



WESTERN EMPIRE. 
Rome the Capital. 
Honorius, 52. Alaric. 



24 Valenlinian III., 53. Atlila. 

55 Maximus, 54. [55] Avitus, 55. 

57 Majorian, 56. [61] Severus, 57. 
[67] Athenius. 58. 

72 Olybrius, 59. [73] Gluceritis, 60. 
[74] J. Nepos, 61. 

75 Augustulus Romulus, 62. Odoacer 
puts an *nd to the Western Em- 
pire, in 476. 



EASTERN EMPIRE. 
Constantinople the Capital. 
95 Arcadius. "-^ 
8 Theodosius II. Theodosian Code. 
Invasion of the Huns, under 
Attila. 
50 Marcian. 

57 Leo, the Great, first empeior crown- 
ed by the Patriarch. 
74 Zeno, makes Theodoric, the Ostro 

goth, his general. 
91 Anaslasius. 



The figures on the left hand of the emperors denote the commencement 
i)f their reigns ; those on the right, the number of the emperor. Thus, 
CanstarUine the Great began to reign in 306, and was the 44th emperor. 



10 



no 



ROMAN HISTORY. 



Chronological Table of Roman Literature. 



Coriolanus 
Cincinnatus 



B.C. Public Men. 

500 

5th 

400 

4iA 

300 

3d 

200 
2d 



Camillus 
Manlius 



Fabricius 
Marcellus 



Poets. 



Livius And. 

Naevius 



100 



1st 



Fabius Max. 
Scipio Afric. 
Cato, Censor 



1st 

loo; 

2d 

200 

3d 

300 

ith 

400 
5th 

500 

6th 

600 

7th 



Plautus 
Ennius 
Terence 



Marius 

Sylla 

Sertorius 

Catiline 

Crassus 

Pompey 

Lucullus 

Cato, Utica 

Cae.sar 

Brutua 

Cassius 

Antony 



UmperoTS. 



Roscius, 

Drama. 
Lucretius 
Catullu3 
VIRGIL— 
Propertius 
Tibullus 
Horace -^ 



Ovid ^ 

Phsednis 

Persius 
Lucan »^ 
Petronius 
Siliu3 Ilali- 

CU3 

Valerius 

Flaccus 
Statins 



IWartial 
Juvenal 



Palladius 



Philosophers, 
Orators, &c. 



Jews. 



Sisenna 
J. C^SAR -• 
Sallust -> 
Hirtius Pan- 

sa 
Cornelius — 

Nepos 



LIVY -"^^ 

Valerius Ma, 
Pomp. Mela, 

Geog. 
Paterculus 
Quintus Cur- 
tius 

TACITUS ^ 



Calpumius 



A.usoniu3 



Prudentius 
Claudian 



Pliny, Jun. 
Suetonius 
Floru3 

Aulus GeUius 
Justin 



Hortensius 
CICERO - 

Varro, ■». 

Literature. 
Vitruvius, 
Architecture. 



Ezra 
Malachi 



Sadoe 
Jesus Sirac 



Mattathias 
Judas Mac. 
J. Hyrcanus 



Shammai 
Hillel 



Columella 



Seneca 
Pliny, Sen:- 



Quinctilian,"^ 
Criticism. 



John Baptist 
Philo 
Jonathan 
Onkelos 

Christians. 
James 
Peter 
Paul 

Josephus, Jew 
Jolin 
Clemens Ro. 



Frontinus 
M. Aurelius 
Antoninus 



Vopi.scu3 

Lampridius 

Eulropiu3 



V. Sequester 
Orosius 



Mar. Capella 



Cassiodorus 



Boetliius 
Trebonian 



Ignatius 
Papias 
Justin Mar. 
Polycarp 
IrensBus 



TertuUian 

Origen 

Cyprian 




Fulgentiua 
Benedict 



Gregory 
Isidore 



The most flourishing period of Roman Literature comprised the century iminedi' 
tttely preceding, and that iiiLnediately following, the Cliristian era. 



THE MIDDLE AGES. 



\ 

] The Middle Ages comprise a period of about a thousand 
years, from the 5th to the 15th century ; or from the subver- 
sion of the Western Empire of the Romans to that of the 
Eastern Empire. During these centuries, Europe was sunk 
in ignorance, barbarism, and superstition ; hence this period 
is styled the Dark Ages. 

2. The migration of the Goths, Vandals, Huns, and other 
barbarous nations from the north of Europe, took place in the 
latter part of the 4th century, and the beginning of the 5th. 
These barbarians possessed themselves of the middle and 
south of Europe ; and in less than one hundred years after 
this event, almost all learning and civilization disappeared. 
Literature had been gradually declining since the reign of 
Augustus ; yet considerable remains of it existed in the Ro- 
man Empire till after the fall of the capital before the arms 
of the Goths. The darkest period was from the 6th century 
to the 12th. 

3. In these dark and miserable times, the human mind 
was neglected and debased ; books were extremely scarce, 
and were procured only at an immense price, the cost of a 
single volume being equal to that of a good house ; the com- 
mori people were wholly uneducated ; many persons of the 
highest rank, and in the most important stations, were unable 
to read ; and contracts were made verbally for the want of 
persons capable of writing them. The learning which existed 
was confined chiefly to ecclesiastics and monks ; yet many 
priests did not understand the service which it was their duty 
daily to recite ; and many bishops had never seen a copy of 
the Bible during their lives. 

4. The state of morals, both among the clergy and laity, 
was exceedingly low ; and Christianity had lost most of its 
original excellence, and was corrupted into a degrading su- 
perstition. The political state of Europe was also character 
ized by anarcliy violence, and rapine. 



112 THE ARABS OR SARACENS. 

5. The absurd mod«^s of trial by single comhat or ituel^ and 
also by ordeal^ that is, by walking blindfold over hot bars of * 
iron, or being thrown into the water, were commonly used aa 
methods of discovering guilt and innocence. 

6. The most considerable empire that existed in Europe dur 
ing the Middle Ages was the New Empire of the West, whiclj 
was established by Charlemagne, but which was not of long du. 
ration. It was during these ages that the famous and success • 
fill impostor Ma'homet appeared, and the Mahometan or Sara- 
cen Empire flourished. From ihe 8th to the 13th centuries 
the Saracens surpassed all their contemporaries in the cultiva- 
tion of literj!,ture and science. 

7. Some of the most remarkable circumstances which char« 
acterize the history of Europe and the state of society, during 
this period, are, the Feudal System, the Crusades, and Chivalry 



THE ARABS OH SARACENS. 

1. Before the time of Ma'homet, the Arabians were a rude 
nation, living generally in independent tribes, who traced their 
descent from Ishmael, and professed a mixed religion, com- 
pounded of Judaism and idolatry. They had had, as a nation 
but little intercourse with the neighboring kingdoms. 

2. The Saracens, however, a warlike tribe of iVrabs who in. 
habited the western part of Arabia, had, before this period, 
been induced, by the hope of plunder, to forsake their deserts, 
and had become alternately the support and terror of the tot- 
tering empires of Rome and Persia. They were in the habit 
of selling their services, as mercenaries, to those who would 
pay most liberally ; and their name was applied, by Christian 
authors of the Middle Ages, to the Arabian nations generally, 
who M 3re the first disciples of Mahomet ; and who, within 50 
years after his death, conquered a considerable part of Asia 
and Africa, and some portions of Europe ; but the descendenia 
of the Arabs, who subdued and possessed themselves of Spain, 
have been styled Moors. 

3. Arabia had afforded an asylum to the persecuted Chris- 
tians of different sects ; and, at the end of the 6th century, 
Christianity had become the prevailing religion in some parts 
of the country. It was, however, a most corrupt form of 
Christianity, inculcating the worship of saints and images, wnli 
many other absurd and superstitious ceremonies ; and among 



THE ARABS OR SARACENS. 113 

both the priests and the people, a general depravity (,f majners 
pievailed. 

4. Such was the state of Arabia, when Ma'homet or Moham'' 
med, that most extraordinary and successful impostor, appear 
ed. He was a native of Mecca, a man of no educaticr. but of 
gi'eat natural talents. In 609, when about 40 years of age, he 
pfdt?nded to have received a divine commission to propagate 
a new re,\gion. He withdrew to a place of retirement, where 
he affirmed that he held conferences with the angel Gabriel. 
These discourses were collected into a volume called the Ko 
ran, or Alcoran, which is the Mahometan bible. Ma'homet 
performed no miracles, but appealed chiefly to the excellence 
of the doctrine contained in the Koran, and to the elegance of 
its style, as proofs of its inspiration. 

5. The two leading doctrines of his religion were these, 
namely, " There is hut. one God, and Mahomet is his prophet.'' 
He taught that others, at various times, as Abraham, Moses, 
=ind Jesus Christ, had been divinely commissioned to teach 
Tiankind ; but that he himself was the last and greatest of the 

ophets. He adopted much of the morality of the Gospel, and 

stained many of the rites of Judaism, and some of the Ara- 

'an superstitions, particularly the pilgrimage to Mecca. But 

owed his success, in a great measure, to his allowing his 

"•llowers great latitude in licentious indulgences, and to his 

j^romising them, as their future reward, a paradise of sensual 

pleasures. 

6. He propagated his religion by the sword, stimulated the 
courage of his followers by inculcating the strictest predestina- 
rianism or fatalism, and roused their enthusiasm b)^ the assur- 
ance of a martyr's crown to every one who should fall in bat- 
tle. It was inculcated as a fundamental doctrine, that " to 
fight for the faith was an act of obedience to God " ; hence 
the Mahometans or Saracens denominated their ferocious end 
bloody ravages holy wars. — They term their religion Islam or 
hlamism ; and call themselves Mussulmans or Moslems, that 
is, true believers or orthodox. 

7. Mahomet, in the beginning of his efforts, had but little 
success in making proselytes. His first converts were liia 
wife Kadija, his slave Zeid, his cousin and son-in-law the fa- 
mous Ali, and his father-in-law Ahu-heker, who was a man of 
influence. These, together with ten others, were all whom he 
had persuaded to acknowledge the truth of his mission, at the 
erd of thi-ee years. 

8. A popular tunmlt being raised against him at Mecca, he 
was compelled, in order to save his life, to escape ; and he fled 
in disguise to Medina. His Jiight, or JSegira, is the Mahom* 

(0* 



114 THE ARABS OR SARACENS. 

etan era, corresponding to the year A. D. 622. He wte car* 
ried into Medina in triumph, by 500 of its richest citizens ; and 
there he assumed the sacerdotal and regal office. He placed 
himself at the head of an army of his converts, and began to 
propagate his religion by the sword : having defeated his ene- 
mies, he entered his native city, Mecca, in 629, as a triumplianl 
conqueror. He fought in person nine battles, subdued all 
Arabia, extended his conquests to Syria, and after a cai-eer of 
Victory, died at Medina, at the age of 63, ten years after hia 
flight from Mecca to that city. 

9. Mahomet affected the most rigid austerity, and the most 
ostentatious piety ; and he is described ^' as a perfect model of 
Arabian virtue, brave and liberal, eloquent and vigorous, noble 
and simple in all his dealings, and of irreproachable morals." 
This is the fair side of his character; but on the other hand, 
he is reproached with the grossest sensuality, — having married, 
according to some authors, eleven, and according to others, sev- 
enteen wives, — with never having hesitated to make use of the 
worst passions of his followers for the advancement of his pur- 
poses, and with having had frequent recourse, in the progress of 
his conquests, to the most wanton cruelty and the basest perfidy. 

10. Mahomet was succeeded by Ahu-heker, who is styled 
the first caliph, a subordinate title, which was assumed from 
respect and in reference to Mahomet, and which signifies, in 
Arabic, successor or vicar. He continued the career of con- 
quest, and, with the aid of his general Caled, defeated a great 
array of the Greek emperor Herac'lius, took Damascus, and 
died in the third year of his reign. At his death he bequeathed 
the sceptre to the brave Omar. " I have no occasion for the 
place," said Omar. " But the place has occasion for you," re- 
plied ';he dying caliph. 

11. Omar, with the assistance of his favorite general Oiei- 
dah, in one campaign, deprived the Greek empire of Syria, 
Phoenicia, Mesopotamia, and Chaldea ; and in a second cam- 
paign, he reduced to the Mussulman dominion and religuin 
the whole empire of Persia. His aimy, under Amrou, took 
Alexandria, and subdued Egypt. 

12. Amrou, being requested to spare the Alexandrian libra- 
r% wrote for directions respecting it to Omar, who is said to 
hav3 returned the following answer, characteristic of an igno« 
rant barbariat: and fanatic : " If these writings agree with the 
Koran, they are useless, and need not be preserved ; if they 
disagree, they are pernicious, and ought to be destroyed." 
The sentence, as is related by numerous authors, was executed 
by using this vast collection of the writings of the ancients as 
foel fa* heating the 4000 baths of the city for six months. This 



THE ARABS OR SAR/VCtNS. 115 

was the largest "library that the world had then seen, ~ slate! 
at 700,000 volumes, — and its destruction is regarded as the 
greatest loss to literature that is recorded in history. 

13. Omar, during a reign of 10 years, reduced 36,000 cities 
and villages to his obedience, demolished 4,000 Christian 
churches or temples, and erected 1,400 mosques for Mahom- 
etan worship . He was finally assassinated, and succeeded by 
Oikman, who added Bactria'na and a part of Tartary to the 
dominion of the caliphs. On his death, AH, who had married 
Fat'iina, the daughter of Mahomet, was elected to the caliph- 
ute. He is reputed the bravest and most virtuous of the 
caliphs, and his reign was glorious, though of only five years' 
duration, 

14. In the space of less than half a century, the Saracens 
raised an empire more extensive than what then remained of 
the Roman ; and in 100 years from the flight of Mahomet from 
Mecca to Medina, the dominions of his successors extended 
from India to the Atlantic, comprehending tlie widely distant 
regions of Persia, Syria, Asia Minor, Arabia, Egypt, the North 
of Africa, and Spain. 

15. The reign of Ali forms a remarkable era m th^ Mus- 
sulman history, on account of a schism which then arose, and 
which caused the followers of Mahomet to be divided into two 
great parties, which still continue to exist, known by the names 
of Sumiites, or Sonnites, and Skiites, who detest and anathema- 
tize each other as heretics. The Shiites are zealous adherents 
of Ali, whom they regard as equal to Mahomet, but reject 
Abu-beker, Omar, and Othman, the first three caliphs, as usurp- 
ers. The Sunnites, or orthodox Mahometans, acknowledge the 
rightful authority of these caliphs, but admit no one to be equal 
to Mahomet ; and they receive the Sunnah, or body of tra- 
ditions concerning the prophet, as of canonical authority ; but 
this is rejected by the Shiites. The Turks are Sunnites, and 
tlie Persians are Shiites. 

16. Ali removed the seat of the Mussulman sovereigns from 
Mecca to Ciifa, on the Euphrates ; and in 768, it was removed 
by Almansor to Bagdad ; hence they are styled caliphs of 
Bagdad. Next to the caliphate of Bagdad, the other caliph- 
ate most illustrious in Saracenic history was that of Cordova 
in Spain. Walid, who reigned at Cufa in the early part of 
the 8th century, was the first that founded a hospital, and 
built caravansaries or public inns, for the accommodation of 
travellers. ^V' 

17. The first race of caliphs were styled Omjni'ades, the 
first of whom was Moaioiijah ; of these, 19 reigned in succes- 
sion ; after which began the dynasty of the Abias'sides, who 



116 THE ARABS OR SARACENS. 

were descended from Ahias, the uncle of Mahomet. Atmatl- 
sor, the second caliph of this race, built Bagdad, and made il 
■jhe seat of the Saracen empire, and it became the largest and 
most splendid city in the world. He was a liberal patron of 
learning and science ; and it was he who first introduced the 
cultivation of them among the Saracens. 

18. The reign of Haroun al Raschid, the 25th caliph, who 
was contemporary wi«th Charlemagne, was the most splendid of 
the whole dynasty ; and it is regarded as the Augustan age of 
Saracen or Arabic literature. This prince rendered himself 
illustrious by his valor, generosity, and benevolenco ; by his 
equitable government, and his patronage of learned men. It 
is to these times that a great part of our proverbs and roman- 
ces must be referred ; and the Thousand and one Nights have 
rendered Haroun al Raschid more celebrated than his victo- 
rious march through Asia. Schools of learning were, at this 
period, established in the principal towns. The sciences 
chiefly cultivated were medicine, geometry, and astronomy : 
poetry and fiction also commanded attention. Some of the 
successors of Haroun al Raschid, particularly his son Al Ma- 
mu7i, followed his footsteps in patronizing learning. Litera- 
ture was also successfully cultivated by the Saracens of Spain 
and Africa 

19. From the time of the removal of the seat of govern- 
ment to BagQxd, the importance of Arabia began to decline. 
Many chiefs of the interior provinces rose to assert their in- 
dependence, and withdrew themselves from the civil jurisdic- 
tion of the caliph, regarding him only as the head of their 
religion. 

20. The Saracens might have established an immense em- 
pire, if they had acknowledged but one head ; but as their con- 
quests extended, their states soon became disunited. Spain, 
Egypt, Morocco, and India had, at an early period, their sepa- 
rate sovereigns, who continued to respect the caliph of Bagdad 
us the successor of the prophet, but acknowledged no tcmpoi al 
subjection to his government. 

21. The house of Alias furnished 37 caliphs^who reigned 
m succession. Bagdad continued to be the seat of the Sara- 
cen empire 490 years, during which long period it sustained 
several obstinate sieges, and was the scene of many a bloody 
revolution. At length, in the 656th year of the Hegira, A. 1). 
1258, Bagdad was taken by Hulaku, the grandson of the ceie- 
bi'ated Genghis Khan : the reigning caliph, Al Mostaiem, was 
put to death ; the caliphate was abolished, and the Sauacea 
»impire terminated. 

22. The immediate successors of Mahomet found them- 



THE FEUDAL SYSTEM. Ill 

selves under the necessity of affecting that enthusiastic de« 
votion, and rigid austerity, by which he had established hia 
character as a prophet, and his power as a sovereign. All 
the time they could spare from the duties of royalty was spent 
in prayer or preaching before the sepulchre of the impostcr 
Their manners were modest and unassuming ; they aflected 
great humility, practised various mortifications, and corde- 
Bcended to perform the meanest offices. Satisfied with tiio, 
power of royalty, they affected to disdain its pomp. But when 
their power was confirmed beyond the fear of revolution, the]? 
'ibrgot the real or affected virtues which their predecessors liad 
found it necessary to practise, and became distinguished for 
their oppression, their love of show and magnificence, their 
luxury and effeminacy. 

23. As the caliphs succeeded to both the regal and sacer 
dotal offices which Mahomet had assumed, they were the mos'^ 
absolute monarchs in the world. No privileged order was 
recogn'zed in the Saracen empire, to impose a salutary re- 
straint on the will of the despots. The Koran was, indeed, 
prescribed as the rule of their actions, and it inculcated the 
duties of humanity and justice ; but they were themselves the 
interpreters and judges of that code ; nor did any Mussulman 
dare dispute their infallibility. Their office, uniting spiritual 
with temporal power, bore a striking resemblance to that of 
the popes ; nor did the resemblance fail, with regard to pomp, 
haughtiness, and oppression. 






THE FEUDAL SYSTEM. 

i. The Feudal System had its origin among the barbarous 
jStions, the Goths, Vandals, Huns, Lombards, &c., that over* 
ran the countries of Europe, on the decline of the Roman em- 
pire ; but it is supposed to have received its earliest improve- 
ment among the Lombards. It was adopted by Charlemagni;, 
and eventually by most of the princes of Europe ; and it is 
generally believed to have been first introduced into England 
by William the Conqueror. 

2. When the northern barbarians had made a conquest of 
the provinces of the Roman cmj)ire, the conquered lands were 
distributed by lot ; hence they were called allotted or allodial , 
and they were held m entire sovereignty by the different chief- 
tain? , w.thout any other obligation existing between them that- 



118 THE FEUDAL SYSTEM. 

that of uniting, in case of war, for the common defence. The 
king or captain-general, who led on his respective tribes to 
conquest, naturally received by far the largest portion of ter- 
ritory for his own share ; and his principal followers, to whom 
he granted lands, bound themselves merely to render him mili- 
tary sei-vices, 

3. The example of the king was imitated by his courtiers, 
who distributed, under similar conditions, portions of their es- 
tates to their dependants. Thus a feudal kingdom became 
a military establishment, and had the appearance of a victo- 
rious army encamped under its officers in different parts of 
a countiy ; every captain or baron considering himself iu« 
dspendent of his sovereign, except during a period of na- 
tional war. 

4. Possessed of wide tracts of country, and residing at a 
distance from the capital, these barons or lords erected strong 
and gloomy castles or fortresses in places of difficult access ; 
and not only oppressed the people, and slighted the civil mag- 
istracy of the state, but were often in a condition to set the 
authority of the crown itself at defiance. 

5. The fundamental principle of this system was, that all 
the lands were oi'iginally gi'anted out by the sovereign, and 
were held of the crown. The grantor was called lord^ and 
those to whom he made grants were styled his feudatories oi 
vassals. As military service was the only burden to which 
the feudatories were subjected, this service was esteemed 
honorable, and the names of freeman and soldier were sy- 
nonymous. 

6. The great mass of the people, who cultivated the lands, 
were styled serfs or villains, and were in a state of miserable 
servitude. They were not permitted to bear arms, nor suffered 
to leave the estates of their lords. 

7. The feudal government, though well calculated for de- 
fence, was very defective in its provisions for the interior order 
of society. A kingdom resembled a cluster of confederated 
states under a common head ; and though the barons or noblea 
owed a species of allegiance to the king, yet, when obedience 
was refused, it could be enforced only by war. 

8. The bond of unidn being feeble, and the source?) of di« 
cord innumerable, a kingdom often exhibited a scene of an- 
archy, turbulence, and war ; and such was, in fact, the state 
of Europe, with respect to interior government, from the 7th 
to the 11th century. 

9. Some of the principal causes of the gradual overthrow 
of the Feudal System were, the crusades, the formation of 
cities into communities with special privileges, the change of 



THE CRUSADES. ' US 

the mode of war which followed the invention of gunpowder, 
the extension of commerce, the increase and distribution of 
wealth, and the diflusion of knowledge. Some relics of it, 
however, still exist in some parts of Europe, particularly in 
Kussia and Poland, and in some portions of Germany. 



THE CRUSADES. 

1. Tlie Crusades, or Holy Wars, the first of which waj 
conuTienced in 1096, and the last in 1270, were military expe- 
diiions, undertaken by the Christians of Europe, for the de- 
liverance of Palestine, and particularly the sepulchre of ouE 
Savior, from the dominion of the ivlahometans. These enter 
j^rises involved all the nations of Western Europe ; yet, in most 
of them, the French took the lead. In 637, Jerusalem was 
conquered by the Saracens, who were induced, by self-interest, 
to permit Christian pilgrims to visit the city. But when the 
Turks, a wild and ferocious tribe of Tartars, got possession of 
Jerusalem, in 1065, the pilgrims were no longer safe, but were 
exposed to insult and robbeiy. The dangers of pilgrimage, 
painted in the most frightful colors by those who returned 
from the holy city, threatened the discontinuance of what 
was regarded, in that age of ignorance and superstition, a 
sacred duty. 

2. Peter the Hermit, a native of Amiens, in France, having 
returned from a painful pilgrimage, conceived the design of 
arming the sovereigns and people of Europe, for the purpose 
of rescuing the holy sepulchre out of the hands of the infidels. 
With this view, he tra\elled from kingdom to kingdom, de- 
scribing the sufferings of the pilgrims with the most inflannna- 
lory pathos, and calling aloud for vengeance. He exhibited, 
in his own person, a complete specimen of monkish austerity 
3nd frantic enthusiasm. His body, which was covered with a 
c Darse garment, seemed wasted with fasting ; his head was 
bare; his feet naked; he bore aloft in his hand a large and 
weighty crucifix; and his prayers were frequent, long, and 
loud. He, accosted every person whom lie met, and entered, 
without hesitation, the palaces of the great and the cottagea 
of the poor. 

3. Urban II. _ the reigning pontiff, pitched upon this en- 
thusiast as a fit person to commence the execution of a grand 
design, which had before been entertained by the popes, pai- 
ticularly Ctregory VII., [Hildebrand,) of arming all Christen 



1^ THE CIIIJSADES. 

donfj against the Mahometans. The project was opened in two 
general councils, which were held at Placentia and Clermont^ 
in 1095, and attended by many thousands. The pope himself 
harangued the multitude, and proposed that the cross, which 
was made of red stuff attached to the right shoulder, should be 
ib.e badge of the combatants ; and from this badge the expedi- 
tions were termed crusades. Plenary indulgence ?.nd full ab- 
solution were proclaimed to all who should devote themselves 
lo the service. 

4. An immense multitude of ambitious and disorderly no- 
ales, with their dependants, eager for enterprise and rapine, 
and assured of eternal salvation, immediately took the cross. 
E-obbers, incendiaries, murderers, and thousands of inferior 
offenders, readily embraced the opportunity of making expia- 
tion for their sins ; and their zeal was increased by the hope 
of plunder and of sensual gratification. Peter the Hermit 
assumed the office of general, for which he was totally unqual- 
ified, and, placing himself at the head of 80,000 recruits, com- 
menced his march towards the East in the spring of 1096. 
This army was followed by a promiscuous assemblage of 
200,000 persons, more like the collected banditti of Europe 
than a regularly constituted soldiery. The Jirws of Germany 
were their first victims ; but their outrages in Hungary and 
Bulgaria drew upon them a severe retaliation from the in- 
habitants, so that not more than a . third part of this undisci- 
plined multitude arrived with Peter at Constantinople. These 
were met by sultan Sol'i/man, on the plain of Nice, and almost 
totally destroyed, without ever having seen Jerusalem. 

5. But a more valuable part of the expedition was still in 
reserve, and soon after arrived at Constantinople. These were 
men properly trained and appointed, led by experienced and 
able generals. The supreme command was confeiTcd on 
Godfrey of Bouillon, who was su[)ported by Baldioin his 
brother, Robert, duke of Normandy (son of William the Con- 
queror of England), Hugh, count oif' Vermandois, Raymond 
count of Thoulouse, and various other distinguished princes 
of Europe. When reviewed in the neighborhood of Nice, 
they amounted to 100,000 horse, and 600,000 foot, includ'iig x 
train of women and followers. 

6. Having taken Nice, and defeated Solyman, they pro- 
ceeded eastward, conquered Edessa, took the city of A^itioch, 
vanquished an army of 600,000 Saracens, and, being reduced 
to little more than a twentieth part of their original number, 
advanced to Jerusalem, which, after a siege of 40 days, waa 
taken by storm, in 1099 ; and the whole of its Mahometan and 
Jewish inhabitants were barbarously massacred. The heroic 



THE CRUSADES 123 

Godfrey was proclaimed king of Jerusalem by the trops, »nd 
he soon after defeated the sultan, with an immense army, at 
Ascalon ; but, after having reigned one year, he was compelled 
to give up his kingdom to the pope's legate. 

7. The conquerors divided Syria and Palestine into four 
states ; and, seeing their object accomplished, they began to 
return to Eui-ope. The Turks gradually recovered their 
strength ; and the crusadei's who remained in Asia, finding 
tliemselves surrounded by foes, W3ie under the necessity of 
suliciting aid from Christendom. An army of adventurers, 
collected by Hugh, the brother of Philip I. of France, n:;et 
with a fate similar to that of the army under Peter the Hermit, 
being cut off in hostilities, first witn the Greeks, and afterwards 
with Solyman. 

8. The second crusade was pieached, in 1147, by the fa- 
mous St. Bernard, the founder of the monastic order of the 
Bernardines ; and Louis VII. of France, and Conrad III. of 
Germany, with 300,000 of their subjects, were persuaded to 
assume the cross. Conrad took the lead, but his army was al- 
most entirely extirpated near Ico'nium ; the French, under 
Louis, were totally defeated near Laodice'a; and the two mon- 
archs, after witnessing the destruction of the finest armies 
which their countries had produced, returned with shame to 
their dominions. 

9. The illustrious SaVadin, who, about the year 1174, raised 
himself, from the condition of an attendant of the caliphs, to 
the sovereignty of Egypt, Arabia, Syria, and Persia, formed 
the design of recovering Palestine from the Christians. Hav- 
ing defeated their army in the battle of Tiberias, he besieged 
and took Jerusalem, in 1187, and made its sovereign, Guy of 
Lusignan, prisoner. 

10. The reigning sovereigns of the principal states of Eu- 
rope, Philip Augustus of France, Richard I. of England, and 
Frederic Barharossa of Germany, w-ere men of eminent tal- 
ents ; and by the influence of pope Clement III., they were in- 
duced to unite in a third crusade, in 1188. The Emperoi 
Frederic was drowned in Cilicia, in the small river Cydnus, 
and his army mostly desti'oyed. The English and Frencii 
Mere more fortunate : they took Ptolema'is ; but Richard and 
Philip quarrelled from jealousy of each other's glory, and the 
French monarch returned in disgust to his countiy. -^^p^ 

11. Richard ably sustained the contest with the Sultan Sal- 
adin, whom he defeated near As'calon : but his army was re- 
duced by famine, fatigue, and intestine quarrels. Returning 
through Germany, unaccompanied by his troops, he was ar- 
rested, and kept in prison, till an immense ransom was pro- 

11 



K2 THE CRUSADES. 

cured from his subjects. Before his departure from Syria, he 
had made a peace with Saladin, who soon after died. 

12. Notwithstanding the misery which had been the uniform 
result of the crusades, such was the madness of the age, that 
^Vesli adventurers were ever ready to renew them. In 1202, 
during the pontificate of the ambitious pope Innocent III.^ 
Baldwin, count of Flanders, collected an' army to act against 
the Mahometans in a. fourth crusade ; but he began, as othe-T! 
had done, with the Eastern Christians. Arriving at Consianii' 
nople at a time when there was a dispute respecting the 3uc» 
cession, his interference tempted one claimant to assassinale 
his rival, and Baldwin, after despatching the other by a public 
execution, and indulging his followers with the plunder of the 
city, took possession of the imperial throne of the Eastern 
Empire. Satisfied with this splendid acquisition, he attempted 
nothing against the Saracens. 

13. John de Brienne, a French nobleman, being appointed 
kmg of Jerusalem, made, in 1217, a descent upon Egypt, at 
the head of 100,000 men, with the design of destroying the 
power of its sultan at the seat of government. After a long 
siege, he took Damietta ; but, his army being subsequently sur- 
rounded by an inundation of the Nile, he was forced to give 
up his conquests and surrender his person as a hostage. 

14. The crusading fanaticism in Europe had, at length, be- 
gun to languish ; but it was again revived by St. Louis IX. of 
France, a monarch alike distinguished for being deeply imbued 
with the superstition of the age, and for possessing every ami- 
able and heroic virtue. After four years' preparation, he set 
out for the Holy Land, in 1248, with his queen, his three 
brothers, and all the knights of France. 

15. He began his enterprise by invading Egypt, and, after 
losing one half of his numerous army by sickness, he was ut- 

erly defeated and taken prisoner by the Saracens. Having 
ransomed himself and his followers, he proceeded to Palestine, 
wnere he remained for a considerable time ; and then, returning 
to France, he reigned wisely and prosperously for 13 years. 
Bat the same frenzy assailing him again, he embarked, in 
1270, on another crusade against the Moors in Africa, and 
laid siege to Tunis, near which he and the greater part of hia 
army were destroyed by a pestilence. This was the last of 
these mad enterprises. 

16. Effects of the Crusades. The crusades owed their or- 
igin to the fanaticism and superstition of an ignorant and bar- 
barous age, superadded to ambition, love of military achievs- 
ment, and a desire of plunder. No other military enterpri(*o 
ever commarded the attention of Europe so generally or nt 



THE CRUSADES. 123 

long ; and no other affords a more memorable monument of 
human folly. They assumed the sacred character of religion, 
and were styled Holy Wars. Their tracks marked the three 
quarters of the world which were then known with blood : 
and for nearly two centuries they afflicted almost every family 
of Europe with the most painful privations. It is computed, 
that, during their continuance, more than hco millions of Euro- 
peans were buried in the East. Those who survived were 
soon blended with the Mahometan population of Syria, and, in 
a few years, not a vestige of the Christian conquest remained. 

17. These barbarous expeditions, though productive of so 
much misery, had, nevertheless, a powerful influence in pro- 
ducing a great and beneficial change in the aspect of society. 
Their effects were observable, in a greater or less degree, on 
the political condition., the manners and custo7iis, the commerce, 
the literature, and the religioti of Christendom. 

18. At the commencement of the crusades, the Feudal S?/5- 
tem prevailed throughout Europe. The barons who engaged 
in them were obliged to sell their lands, in order to procure 
the means of conveying their troops to a foreign country. In 
this way the aristocracy was weakened, wealth more widely 
distributed, and the lower classes began to acquire property, 
mfluence, and a spirit of independence. Kings, likewise, 
raised money by selling to towns immunities and privileges, 
such as the right of electing their own magistrates, and being 
governed by their own municipal laws. 

19. In the ages immediately preceding the crusades, the 
manners and mode of life which prevailed in Europe were 
gross and barbarous ; and so, indeed, they continued for a long 
time after their termination ; yet a gradual improvement was 
soon visible. Travelling in foreign countries has a tendency 
to enlarge the views, and polish the manners. In the East, 
particularly in Constantinople, the crusaders became acquaint- 
ed with modes of life superior to what they had been accus- 
tomed to in their own countries, and of which, on their return^ 

hey were ready to recommend the adoption. The crusades 
gave rise to various orders of knighthood, especially those of 
St. John of Jerusalem, and the Templars. They imbued chio • 
airy with religion, and brought it to maturity. 

20. These enterprises had a most beneficial influence on 
commerce and the arts. Commerce had been carried on upon 
only a very limited scale ; and European nations had never 
had their attention sufficiently drawn to the numerous advan- 
tages of water-transport, till the destructive disasters of the 
first crusaders, in attempting a march by land, forced upon the 
minds if their followers the expediency of conveying theu 



124 CHIVALRY. 

troops by water. By the consequent frequency of voy iges to 
Palestine, the arts of navigation and ship-building were rapidly 
improved ; and from this period may be dated the commercial 
prosperity of Pisa, Genoa, and Venice. 

21. The crusades, although immediately injurious both to 
literature and religion, were, nevertheless, ultimately bene- 
ficial. They commenced at a time of the profoundest igno- 
rance and the grossest superstition ; — nearly all that remained 
of ancient art and science being, at that period, confined to 
Constantinople and the more enlightened of the Saracens; — 
fiining their continuance, military fame was the chief object of 
ambition to all who aspired to distinction ; and that blind and 
fanatical devotion to the will of the priesthood, without which 
the people could never have been seduced into so wild an en- 
terprise, continued undiminished. But after two centuries of 
disaster, Europe began to suspect the folly of these expedi- 
tions, and to doubt the infallibility of their promoters ; and the 
human mind was gradually prepared for an emancipation from 
bigotry and servility. 

22. It may be obseired, that if, by the superintendence of 
Providence, these benefits to society grew out of the crusades 
they were diametrically opposite to what their projectors in- 
tended ; that these were results which they had neither the 
wisdom to foresee, nor the virtue to design. 



^ 



CHIVALRY. 



1. Chivalry was an institution in which valor, gallantry, and 
religion were strangely blended. It constitutes one of the 
most remarkable features in the histoiy of European nations 
in the Middle Ages ; and, during several centuries, it pi'oduced 
a wonderful mlluence upon their opmions, habits, and man 
ners, the effects of which may still be traced. Its distinguish 
ing features were a romantic spirit of adventure ; a love o. 
arms, and of the rewards of valor ; an eagerness to succor the 
distressed, and to redress wrongs ; high sentiments of honor 
and religion ; and a devoted and respectful attachment to the 
female sex. 

2. The early history of chivalry is involved .in obscurity • 
and different theories have been formed with regard to the 
period, the nation, and the ciicumstances, to which it owed its 
origin. But the best supported account appears to be tha* 
wfiich fix-is its origin, as a regular institution, in the 11th cen 



CHIVALRY. lis 

lury. Before this period, however, the great principles of it 
were to be found in the manners and customs of the Gothic- 
nations, among whom the profession of arms was the only em- 
ployment which was esteemed honorable, and who were dis 
tinguished for their delicate and respectful gallantry to the 
female sex. It was embodied into form and regularity by the 
Feudal System ; and was afterwards brought to maturity and 
Fplendor by the Crusades, and, by the change wrought upon it 
ly these expeditions, was rendered as much a religious as a 
miJifary institution. Some improvements in it are suppose J 
also to have been derived froni the Saracens. 

3. Chivalry pervaded almost all parts of Europe ; yet Spain 
and France appear to have been the countries in which it was 
first regularly formed into a system, and where it flourished in 
its greatest purity and splendor. In Germany also, at an early 
p'iriod, it arrived at maturity ; but in England it was of later 
b rth, and slower growth. 

4. The sons of noblemen, who were destined for chivalry, 
entei'ed, at the age of seven years, on a course of education, 
which was to prepare them for the performance of its duties 
and the enjoyment of its honors. The place of their educa- 
tion was the castle of their father, or of some neighboring 
noble. From the age of 7 to 14, the appellation given to these 
boys was joa^e or varlet ; in old English haWads, child ; and at 
14 they were raised to the rank, and received the title, of 
esquire, and were then authorized to bear arms. 

5. They were kept in constant and active employment, and 
waited on the master and mistress of the castle at home and 
abroad, and became accustomed to obedience and courteous 
demeanor. They were surrounded by noble ladies and valiant 
knights ; and the first impressions made on their minds were 
those of love, gallantry, honor, and bravery. They were 
taught to reverence chivalry as containing everything that was 
alluring and honorable ; and that the only means of attaining 
tl;e highest honors were, devotion to the female sex, and ski.l 
uiid courage in warfare. 

6- By the ladies of the castle they were taught, at the same 
time, the rudiments of religion and love. " The love of God 
ind the ladies," says Flallam, " was enjoined as a single duty 
He who was faithful and true to his mistress was held sure of 
salvation in the theology of the castles." In order that they 
might have opportunity to practise, in some degree, the in- 
structions which they received, it was customaiy for each 
youth to select some young, accomplished, and virtuous lady 
at whose feet he displayed all his gallantry, and who under 
ta:k to polish his manners. 
11 * 



1526 CHIVALRY 

7. The esquires were employed in various subordinate 
offices in the castles, and as attendants on the knights, till they 
arrived at 21, which was the proper age for admitting them to 
the full honors of knighthood. The candidate was -'equired to 
prepare himself by ablutions, by rigid fasting, by passing the 
night in prayer, and by making a solemn confession of his 
sins ; and, as a type of the purity of manners which would be 
required of him, he was clothed in white. 

S. Having performed the preliminary rites, he then entered 
a church, and after an examination, if he were judged worthy 
of admission to the order of knighthood, he received the sac* 
rament, and took an oath, consisting of 26 articles, m which, 
among other things, he swore that he would be a good, brave 
loyal, just, generous, and gentle knight, a champion of the 
church and the clergy, a protector of ladies, and a redressei 
of the wrongs of widows and orphans. 

9. While upon his knees, he received from the hands of the 
knights and the ladies the insignia of chivalry, his spurs, 
cuirass, coat of mail, and the other parts of his armor, and, 
in the last place, his sword. The most distinguished chevalier 
then duhied him, or bestowed on him the accolade, by giving 
him a slight blow on the shoulder or cheek with his sword, 
which has been interpreted as an emblem of the last affront 
which it was lawful for him to endure. 

10. The most important part of the equipments of a knight 
was his horse ; his distinguishing weapon was the lance ; his 
other offensive arms consisted of a sword, dagger, battle-axe, 
and maces. His dress consisted of a long, flowing robe, which 
reached down to his heels. 

11. " The virtues and endowments that were necessary to 
form an accomplished knight," says Dr. Henry, " in the 
flouiishing times of chivalry, were such as these; — beauty, 
strength, and agility of body ; great dexterity in dancing, 
wresthng, hunting, hawking, riding, tilting, and every other 
manly exercise ; the virtues of piety, chastity, modesty, cour*- 
tesy, loyalty, liberality, sobriety ; and above all, an inviolable 
attachment to truth, and an invincible courage." 

12. Such was the estimation in which knighthood was held 
that, for a long time, no sovereign could be crowned till he 
nad been knighted. Whoever had been dubbed became, as it 
were, a citizen of universal chivalry, and possessed \'arioua 
privileges and dignities, which were not limited to the territory 
of his sovereign, but extended throughout a great parv of 
Europe. He had a right to roam through the world in qiest 
of adventures, which, whether just or not in their purpov^e, 
were always esteemed honorable in proportion as they weve 
perilous. 



CHIVALRY. 127 

13. He was authorized to propose a trial of sk.U with the 
ance to all those of his order whom he met, and to combat 
tbcm with the utmost fury, if they did not acknowledge the la- 
dy to whom he had devoted himself, and whom they had nev- 
er seen, the most beautiful in the world. When he challenged 
them to single combat, it was in the name of his mistress ; and 
he established her unparalleled beauty by vanquishing his an- 
tagonist, and compelling him to acknowledge her superior 
charms. The portrait, the device, the livery, or even the mosi 
trifling gift of his mistress, he cherished with the utmost fond- 
ness. The crest of his helmet was ornamented with the favors 
which she had bestowed upon him. When the sovereign led 
his army to the attack, his never-failing injunction was, " Let 
every one think of his mistress." "**7<*^ 

14. The influence of chivalry was not limited to either sex. 
The manners of the ladies of rank were necessarily polite and 
courteous ; for such they taught those of the chevaliers to be ; 
and it was their highest ambition to deserve and obtain the love 
of a valiant knight. As the laws of the institution made it the 
duty of a knight to protect the chastity and honor of the ladies, 
and forbade his speaking ill of them, or tamely hearing them 
spoken ill of by others, it was incumbent on him to warn them 
against the commission of every thing that might lower them 
in his opinion. 

15. Strictly decorous and respectful in his behavior towards 
them, he expected they would never forfeit their claim to such 
behavior. If, however, they transgressed the laws of modesty 
or prudence, he did not fail to stigmatize their failings in a 
way that would be keenly felt. If he passed the castle of one 
of this character, he marked, in such a manner as could not be 
mistaken, the dwelling of a lady unworthy to receive a true 
chevalier. 

16. As the knights were ambitious to gain the esteem of the 
fair sex by their heroic exploits and the protection which they 
afforded them, so the ladies were ambitious to merit such pro- 
tection by their virtue. In accordance with this is the langu&ge 
of Spenser : — 

It hath been through all ages ever seen. 

That, with the praise of arms and chivalry, 
The prize of beauty still hath joined been; 

And that for reason's special privity : 
For either doth on other much rely ; 

For he, me-seems, most fit the fair to serve, 
That can her best defend from villany ; 

And she most fit his service doth deserve, 
That fairest is, and from her faith will never swerve. 

1". Chivalry especially enjoined the virtues of hospitality 



128 CHIVALRr. 

humanity, and courtesy. Every true and loyal knight was ex- 
pected to have the door of his castle constantly open. j\.s soon 
as one chevalier entered the castle of another, he considered 
himself at home, and was treated as if he were so ; every thing 
that could contribute to his comfort and his luxury was at his 
command. If he arrived wounded, every possible care was 
taken of him by the ladies, both young and old, who /vere 
proud of having in their possession remedies proper for such 
occasions. To a vanquished foe the most scrupulous and del- 
icate attention was paid : he was treated rather as a conque roi 
than as one who had been conquered. 

18. The favorite amusement and exercise of the knighta 
consisted in justs and tournaments^ the most splendid of which 
were celebrated at coronations, royal marriages, and distin- 
guished victories. " Every scenic performance of modem 
times," says Hallam, " must be tame in comparison of these 
aiiimating scenes. At a tournament, the space inclosed within 
the lists was surrounded by sovereign princes and their noblest 
barons, by knights of established renown, and all that rank and 
beauty had most distinguished among the fair. Covered with 
steel, and known only by their eipblazoned shields, or by the 
favors of their mistresses, a still prouder bearing, the combat- 
ants rushed forward to a strife without enmity, but not without 
danger. 

19. " Victory at a tournament was little less glorious, and 
perhaps, at the moment, more exquisitely felt, than in the field ; 
since no battle could assemble such witnesses of valor. ' Hon- 
or to the sons of the brave ! ' resounded, amidst the din of mar- 
tial music, from the lips of the minstrels, as the conqueror ad- 
vanced to receive the prize from his queen or his mistress ; 
while the surrounding multitude acknowledged, in his prowess 
of that day, an augury of triumphs that might, in more serious 
contests, be blended with those of his country." 

20. Absurd and ridiculous as the institution of chivalry ap. 
pears, yet it had a powerful influence in producing a favorable 
change in the manners of society m a barbarous age ; and was 
wonderfully adapted to the taste and genius of martial nobles, 
It jnfused humanity into war, at a time when the disposition of 
the age made it almost the constant business of life, and the 
rulmg passion of persons of every rank : it introduced cour- 

esy of manners, when men were rude and uncultivated : it 
exacted and produced a scrupulous adherence to truth, at a 
time when its obligations wei'e feebly felt, and the temptations 
to falsehood were numerous ; it imparted an additional impulse 
and motive to a respectful and delicate attention to the female 
sey. M'hen such attention was particularly necessary to them. 



CHIVALRY. 129 

21. As chivalry rose to splendor, and was embodied intn 
form by the feudal system, so it fell along with it. The in 
vention of gunpowder, and the consequent change in the mod» 
of war ; the invention of the art of printing, and the difiusioi 
of knowledge ; the extension of commerce, and the increase 
and distribution of wealth, gradually produced the destruction 
of the feudal system, and put a period to the existence of chiv 
airy. It arose principally from the peculiar state of society, 
the evils of which it was calculated, in some degree, to remove 
or alleviate ; it fell when that state of society and those evils 
had given way to the general diffusion of wealth and of 
knowledge. 

22. " The wild exploits of those romantic knights," says 
Dr. Robertson, " who sallied forth in quest of adventures, are 
well known, and have been treated with proper ridicule. The 
political and permanent effects of the spirit of chivalry have 
been less observed. Perhaps the humanity which accompa- 
nies all the operations of war, the refinements of gallantry, 
and the point of honor, the three chief circumstances which 
distinguish modern from ancient manners, may be ascribed, in 
a great measure, to this whimsical institution, seemingly of lit- 
tle benefit to mankind. The sentiments which chivalry in- 
spired had a wonderful influence on the manners and conduct 
during the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. They were 
so deeply rooted, that they continued to operate after the vigor 
and reputation of the institution itself began to decline." 

23. But the actual morals of chivalry were by no means 
pure : its principles, like those of other institutions, were 
much superior to the practice of its professors ; and it fell far 
short of establishing and preserving that purity in the inter- 
course of the sexes which it inculcated. The poetry of the 
Troubadours, and the tales and romances which describe the 
manners of chivalry, all afford evidence of dissolute morals. 

24. The knights professed to redress wrongs, to relieve the 
oppressed, and to protect the defenceless ; but in performing 
these very acts, they were not unfrequently guilty of the gross- 
est injustice and violence. Chivalry nourished a pernicious 
thirst for militaiy renown, and cherished a love of war, found- 
ed more on feehngs of personal resentment than on those of 
public spirit. It indeed taught mankind to carry the civilities 
of peace into the operations of war, and to mingle politeness 
with the use of the sword ; but it also gave birth to a punctil 
ious refinement, and sowed the seeds of that fantastic honor, 
the bitterness of whose fruits is still felt in the modern practice 
nf duelling. 

25. The origin of the duel is traced to the Gothic nations 



130 CHIVAl^RY 

Under the feudal system, and during the age of chivahy, the 
duel was warmly patronized. It so far prevailed among the 
Germans, Danes, and Franks, that none were exempted from 
it but women, sick people, cripples, and such as were under 
21 years of age, or above 60. Even ecclesiastics, priests, 
and monks, were obliged to find a champion to fight in their 
stead. 

26. Laws and regulations were defined for it, in most of the 
kingdoms of Europe ; forms of prayer were likewise pie- 
scribed ; and the combatants prepared themselves by taking 
the sacrament. It was then resorted to as a method of discov- 
ering truth and preventing perjury, with the belief of the in' 
terference of Providence for the punishment of the guilty, and 
the protection of the innocent. It is now practised as a mode 
of private revenge ; and its use is no longer supported by any 
plea derived from reason, religion^ or superstition. 



-f> 



MODEEN IIISTOP.Y. 



I DiTFERENT periods, as has already been mentioned, have 
l>eeri adopted by different historians for the commencement of 
Modern History, — as the Christian era, the downfall of thb 
Western Empire of the Romans, A. D. 476, the establishment 
of the New Empire of the West under Charlemagne, A. D. 
800, and (when considered as distinct from the history of the 
Middle Ages) the downfall of the Eastern Empire, in 1453. 

2. But in treating of the history of the several European 
biates, the most convenient method is to begin with the com- 
mencement of each respectively, without being confined to 
any one common period. The French monarchy dates from 
the latter part of the 5th century ; but no other one of the 
present sovereignties of Europe traces its origin, by any au- 
thentic data, further hack .nan the commencement of the 9th 
century. 

3. The period l!iat succeeded the downfall of the Eastern 
Empire is one of the most important and interesting in the 
history of man. On casting an eye back to this period, we 
see a flood of light suddenly bursting upon the world ; man- 
kind waking, as from profound sleep, to a life of activity and 
bold adventure ; ignorance, barbarism, superstition, and feudal 
slavery, retreating before advancing civilization, knowledge 
religion, and freedom. 

4. Some of the principal causes which produced the giea* 
and beneficial changes in the state of society which then look 
place, were the invention of the mariner's compass, of gxm- 
powder, and of the art of printing ; the discovery of America, 
and of a maritime passage to India round the Cape of Good 
Hope ; the dispersion of the literary men of Constantinople to 
the western parts of Europe, and the Reformation in religion. 

5. In the histoiy of European commerce, the association of 
the Hanse Towns, or Hanseatic League, holds a conspicuoua 
place. This was a celebrated confederacy of commercial 
cities on the coasts of the Baltic and in the adjoining countries. 



132 MODEHN HISTORY. 

The League was formed before the middle of the 13ih cen 
t,ury, and among the towns which were early associated were 
Hamburg, Lubec, Bremen, Cologne, and Dantzic. It was 
Boon widely extended ; and it comprenended, at one period, 85 
towns ; and it had four principal foreign depots or factories, — 
at London, Bruges, Novgorod, and Bergen. Regular assem- 
blies, composed of deputies from all the cities, were held, once 
in three years, at Lubec, where the archives were kept. 

6. In the 14th and 15th centuries the League was in its most 
flourishing condition ; it became of high political importance, 
and made war and peace as a sovereign state. But wlien the 
pnnces of the several countries in which these towns were 
situated began to afford an efficient protection to their commer- 
cial operations, and when the discovery of America, and of 
the way to India by the Cape of Good Hope, gave an entirely 
new form and direction to commerce, the Hanseatic League 
gradually declined ; and the last general assembly of the depu- 
ties from the several vowns was held at Lubec in 1630, when 
the League was dissolved. 

7. From the time of the crusades to the 15th century, the 
Italians, more especially the cities of Venice, Genoa, and Pisa, 
had the chief management of European commerce. In the- 
maritime discoveries, and the commercial enterprise of the 
15th and 16th centuries, Portugal'and Spain took the lead ; and 
on the discovery of a passage to India round the Cape of Good 
Hope, the commerce of Europe was turned into new channels, 
and the Italian cities declined. 

8. Spain and Portugal have long since lost their former 
comparative rank in commerce, wealth, and power. They 
were succeeded in maritime enterprise and activity by the 
Netherlands, Holland, and England, which became, in turn 
the most commercial states in Europe. 

9. The most powerful states in Europe, at the present time, 
are England, France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia; the last 
three of which are comparatively very modern. The history 
of England is to Americans more important than that of J^ny 
other European country ; and next to that m impoitance is ih© 
history of France. 



FRANCE. 138 

FRANCE. 

SECTION 1. 

Merovtngian Kings : Carlovingian Kings : Charlemagne 
Sfc — From A. D. 420 to 987. 

1 The history of France and that of England are intimately 
conaected, as thsy have, for many centuries, been rival states. 
and, during a great part of the time, engaged in war vvdth each 
other. ^The kings of England, for a long time, assumed also 
Lof King of France, as they held possessions in thai 
lore or less extensive, from the time of William, the 
h'or to that of Queen Mary. \ ^ > ^,' 

2. The ancestors of the modern French were the Gauls er 
Celts ^ an enterprising and warlike people ; and it has been fre- 
quently remarked, that there is a striking similitude between 
the descendants and their progenitors. Ancient Gaul compre- 
hended, in addition to modern France, the Netherlands, and 
the western part of German]/. It was conquered and annexed 
to the Roman empire by Julius CcBsar, 51 years before the 
Christian era. It received its modern name from the Franks, 
who were originally a German tribe, inhabiting the districts on 
Jie Lower Rhine and the Weser, and who assumed the appel- 
lation of Franks, or Freemen, from their union to resist the 
dominion of the Romans. 

3. The Franks made an irruption into Gaul about the year 
420, under their leader, Pharamond, who is said to have been 
succeeded by Clodion, Merovaus, Childeric, and Clovis. The 
first race of the French kings is styled Merovingian, from 
Merovceus ; but the authentic history of the monarchy com- 
mences in 481, with his grandson, Clovis, who is regarded as 
Its real founder, and who achieved the conquest of France, by 
several victories over the Romans, the Alemanni, and the Visi- 
gothSj^ and by marrying Clotilda, a Christian princess, and 
daugKter of tiie King of Burgundy. In consequence of this 
marriage, Clovis and his subjects embraced Christianity. Ho 
made Paris the seat of his government, and published the 
Salic laws, excluding females from the throne. ^ 

4. The Me.rooi7igian kings, who were generally weak sove- 
reigns, continued to possess the throne till 751. In 690, Pepin 
d'Heristel, mayor of the palace, the first officer under the 
crown, acquired the chief control, which he retained for many 
fears, and left it to his son, Charles Martel^ who gained a great 

12 



134 FRANCE. 

victory over the Saracens^ between Tours and Poictiers, and 
who was succeeded in office by his son, Pejnn le Bref, or the 
Short, so called from his low stature, being only four and a 
half feet high. 

5. Pepin governed France while the weak Childeric III. 
was nominally king ; and being a man of talents and ambition 
he proposed the question to Pope Zachari/, whether he himself 
or Childeric was the best entitled to the crown. Zachary 
from interested motives, decided in favor of Pepin, who was 
accordingly crowned at Soissons, by St. Boniface, Bishop of j 
iMentz, and became the founder of the second or Carhvinglan j 
race of French kings. Pepin recompensed the services done M 
him by the pope, by turning his arms, during the pontificate 
of Stephen IT., who succeeded Zachary, against the Lmnbards ; 
in Italy, and by granting the exarchate of Ravenna ano^btlj^r i 
territories to the see of Rome. In this manner the pope was, ' 
in 755, raised to the rank of a temporal prince. j 

6. Pepin was succeeded by his two sons. Char les and Carlo- \ 
man ; but the latter dying not long after the death of his father, j 
Charles possessed the undivided sovereignty. This distin- 
guished monarch is known in history by the name of Charle- \ 
magne, or Charles the Great. Notwithstanding the diminutive { 
stature of his father, he is said to have been seven feet in j 
height, of a robust constitution and majestic appearance. j 

7. Charlemagne was far the greatest monarch of his age \ 
and distinguished both as a conqueror and a statesman. H ; 
was engaged in war during most of his reign, had a long and ; 
bloody contest with the Saxons, put an end to the kingdom of > 
the Lombards in Italy, by defeating Desiderius or Didier, j 
their last sovereign, and made extensive conquests ; but he ^ 
sustained a great defeat by the Spaniards, at Roncesvalles. In i 
800 he was crowned Emperor of the West, by the pope. His ' 
empire comprised France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzer- i 
land, a great part of Italy, and part of Spain. He had no i 
permanent capital, though Aix-la-Chapelle was, for a long ; 
time, his favorite residence. 

8. Charlemagne was a luminary in a dark age, and an enii- 
nsnt patron of learning. " He stands alone," says Hallam, 
" like a beacon upon a waste, or a rock in the broad ocean." 
His court was frequented by Alcuin and other learned men ; 
and he endeavored to dispel the profound ignorance which 
generally prevailed. He manifested his zeal for religion by 
compelling those whom he subdued to receive Christian bap- 
tism, on the pain of being either made slaves or of suffering 
death. Succeediag generations, impressed with a grateful 
•ense of the services which he rendered to the church, 



FRANCE. 135 

canonized his memory, and turned this bloody warrior into 
an eminent saint. 

9. His private character, though stained with vices, exhibited 
many estimable qualities. On days of ceremony, he made a 
great display of luxury and splendor in his apparel ; but at 
other times he was plain in his dress, and frugal in regard to 
his table. The economy of his family was characteristic of 
an age of great simplicity. He superintended his farms, and 
trained his sons himself to manly exercises : tne women be- 
longing to his court made use of the needle, and managed the 
distaff; and he took delight in appearing ornamented with the 
productions of his wife and daughters. '^><1 

10. Chariemagne was succeeded, in 814, by his son, Louis 9^ \ ^ 
the Deho/iair, whose reign was inglorious and tui'bulent, an J 

who divided his dominions among his sons. The quarrels 
of the rival brothers, which commenced before the death of 
their father, involved their subjects in a sanguinary war, and 
the family contest was decided in a great battle on the plains 
of Fontenay, where no less than 100,000 men are said to have 
fallen, and most of the ancient nobility of France perished. 
A new division of the empire followed ; Charles the Bald re-^N. 
ceiving the western part of France, termed Aquitaine and ^. 
Neustria ; Lothaire, Italy and some of the southern provinces r~ 
of France ; and Louis, Germany. During the reign of Charles, \ 
the Normans, from Scandinavia, commenced their invasions of ^y 
France, and burnt Paris. 

11. Charles, after a weak and inglorious reign, was suc- 
ceeded by his son, Louis the Stammerer, who, in order to in- 
sure tranquillity to his estates, made numerous grants of lands, 
titles, and offices to his nobles and bishops. After a short 
reign, he left his kingdom to his two sons, Louis III. and 
Carloman. After the death of these princes, the emperor 
Charles the Fat was elected to the vacant throne ; but he gov- T 
eried with so much imbecility, that he was soon dethroned, b* 
and the imperial dignity was transferred to Germany. 



12. The nobility gave the crown to Eudes, till Charles the;. 
Simple should attain to the age of manhood ; and on the death 
of the former, the latter was raised to the throne ; but he was 
deposed by Rohert, the brother of Eudes ; and Robert was 
succeeded by his son-in-law Rodoljjh. During the reign of "^ 
Charles the Simple, the Normans, under Rollo, invaded and n. 
took Neustria, and, in 912, established themselves in the coun- ^-^ 
ti*y, which from them was named Norynandy. 

13. During the succeeding reigns of Louis IV. and Lo'\ 
thaire, Hugh the Great, the most powerful nobleman in France 
obtamcd the chief direction of the government; and in the 



5 



136 FRANCE. 



reign of Louis V., he was succeeded in his au.iority by hisA 
Bon Hugh Capet, who, on the death of Louis, placed himself 
upon the throne, and founded the tMrd or Capetian race of > 
French kings, in 98'/. 



SECTION II. ' 

Capetian Kings, from Hugh Capet to Philip VI. of Valois 
— From A. D. 987 to 1328. 

1. Hugh Capet, an able and politic sovereign, added con- 
Biderable territories to the kingdom, and made Paris his capi- 
tal. He was succeeded by his son Robert, who was com- 
manded by the pope to divorce his queen Bertha, because she 
was his cousin in the fourth degree. But he refused to com- 
ply, and was excommunicated. He was, in consequence, re- 
duced to the most abject condition, being abandoned by all his 
courtiers, as a person infected with the plague ; and was finally 
compelled to submit. 

2. The quiet of his son and successor, Henry I., was dis- 
turbed . by the hostile designs of his unnatural mother, Con- 
stantia. During his reign a law was enacted, called the truce 
of God, prohibiting private combats between Thursday and 
Sunday. This was all that the ecclesiastical and civil power 
united could, in this age, do to check the general rage for 
duelling. 

3. The reign oi Philip I., the successor of Henry, was sig- 
nalized by the first crusade, preached by Peter the Hermit ; 
and by the invasion of France, in 1087, by William the Con- 
queror, of England. From this event may be dated the long- 
continued rivalship and hostility between the French and 
English monarchies, which form a leading feature in their 
history during several centuries. 

4. Louis VI., surnamed the Fat, the son of Philip, was an 
able and accomplished sovereign, and had a prosperous and 
useful reign. On his death-bed he addressed his son, who 
succeeded him, in the following words : " Remember that 
royalty is nothing more than a public charge, of which you 
must render a veiy strict account to Him who makes kings, 
and who will judge them." 

5. Louis VII., surnamed the Young, having been educated 
m an abbey, was zealous for the religion of the age. The 
abbeys, at this period, produced some eminent men, among 
whom were Suger, abbot of St. Denis, a great politician ; «S/. 
Bernari, abbot of Clairvaux, famous for his eloquence and 



FRANCE. 137 

zeal ; and Abelnrd, celebrated for his genius, and his learning 
in scholastic theology, and not less so for his unhappy connec- 
tion with Heloise. 

6. A civil war was excited on account of the refusal of 
Louis to assent to the choice of an archbishop, who was sup- 
ported by the pope. The king entered the town of Vitry at 
the head of a large army, and caused the parochial churclj^ in 
which the rebellious inhabitants had taken refuge, to be set on 
fire, and 1,300 persons perished in the flames. The remorse 
which Louis felt for this act of cruelty and sacrilege gave liso 
to the second crusade, which was preached by St. Bernard 

7. Louis had married Eleanor, heiress of the great duchy 
of Guienne, whom he divorced for her levities and vices ; and, 
in six weeks, she married Henry Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, 
who became, the next year, Henry II. of England, and who, 
by this marriage, acquired a great addition to his possessions 
in France. ^ 

8. Philip II., surnamed Auguslus, on account of his ex- 
ploits, surpassed, in systematic ambition and military enter- 
prise, all the sovereigns who had reigned in France since the 
time of Charlemagne. He signalized the commencement of 
his reign by a tyrannical act, in confiscating the property of 
the Jews in France, and banishing them from his dominions , 
he soon after joined Richard L of England in the third 
crusade. 

9. John, who succeeded Richard in the throne of England, 
was suspected of having murdered his nephew, Arthur ; and 
for this Philip summoned him, as his vassal, to be tried by a 
court of his peers ; but John, refusing to obey the summons, 
was declared guilty of felony, and his possessions were con- 
fiscated. Philip, with his troops, in 1204, invaded and made a 
conquest of Normandy, and reunited it to the crown of France ; 
and the King of England then lost all his territories in tha< 
country, with the exception of Guienne. 

10. Philip, who left his kingdom about twice as large as ho 
found it, was succeeded by his son, Louis VIII. , who was sur- 
named the Lion, on account of his valor, and whose short reign 
was chiefly diaVinguished by a barbarous crusade against the 
A Ibtgenses. 

11. Louis IX., commonly called Saint Louis, succeeded to 
the throne at the age of 12 years ; and during his minority, his 
mother, Blanche of Castile, filled the office of regent with 
great firmness and courage. St. Louis was distinguished for 
bis uprightness, benevolence, and piety, and with regard to the 
purity of intention, has, perhaps, scarcely been excelled by 
any sovereign that ever sat on a throne ; and his long reigo 

12* 



I'dS FKANGE. 

was, in many respects, highly beneficial to his country, Hii 
principal weakness was superstition, which, in a great measure, 
effaced the good effects of his virtues, and which prompted 
him to engage in two disastrous crusades, in the second ot 
which he died near Tunis. 

12. St. Louis was succeeded by his son, Philip III., sur- 
named the Hardy, or Bold, because, when a prisoner with big 
father in Africa, he had the boldness to punish a soldier who 
treated him with insolence ; or, as others say, because he ex- 
tricated the remains of the army in Africa, and brought the 
crusade, which was undertaken by his father, to a favorable 
issue. During this reign, an insurrection took place in Sicily, 
which was occasioned by the tyranny of Charles of Anjou, 
uncle of Philip, who had recently become king of that island ; 
and 8 or 10,000 Frenchmen were massacred, on the evening 
of Easter-day, in 1282, a transaction called the massacre of 
the Sicilian Vespers. 

13. Philip IV., surnamed the Fair, from the beauty of his 
countenance and the elegance of his person, was distinguished 
for his ambition, dissimulation, perfidy, and cruelty, and was 
engaged in continual contests. By endeavoring to raise money 
from the clergy, as well as from his other subjects, he was in- 
volved in a quarrel with the ambitious and haughty Pope Boni- 
face VIII., who prohibited the clergy from paying the assess- 
ment, laid France under an interdict, and issued a bull, declaring 
■' that the Vicar of Christ is vested with full authority over the 
kings and kingdoms on the earth." 

14. The arrogant pontiff died during the contest, and Philip 
managed to get Clement V., a Frenchman devoted to his in- 
terests, elected his successor, and transferred, in 1308, the seat 
of the papacy from Rome to Avig7ion, where it continued 70 
years. This removal greatly exasperated the Italians, who, in 
consequence, became hostile to the pope, and styled his resi- 
dence at Avignon, " The Babylonish captivity of the Holy 
See." — The fraternity of Knights Templars, a religious and 
milhdiy order of great wealth, was abolished by Philip, and 
their property confiscated ; but a measure more creditable to 
him was his instituting parliaments. 

15. Philip was succeeded by his son, Louis X., surnamed 
Hutin, that is, the Stuhborn, or Wrangler, whose short reign 
was signalized by the execution of his prime minister, Marigni, 
for pretended ci'imes, though, in reality, for his wealth. Philip 
v., the Long, on the death of John J., the infant son o^ Philip 
IV., succeeded to the throne. His reign is noted chiefly for a 
barbarous massacre and banishment of the Jews, who were 
accused of having poisoned the wells and fountains of water 



FRANCE. l3Sf 

His successor, Charles IV., the Fair, was the last of three 
brothers, whose reigns were all short, and who were always 
necessitous in respect to then- finances, and little scrupulous 
with regard to their methods of improving them. 



\ 



SECTION III. 



B) anch of Valois : — Philip VI. ; John 11. ; Charles V.} 
Charles VI. ; Charles VII. ; Louis XL ; Charles VIII. — 
Fro7n A. D. 1328 to 1498. 

1. Philip the Fair left three sons, Louis Hutin, Philip the 
Long, and Charles the Fair, who were all successively kings 
of France, but who all died without leaving any male heirs ; 
and one daughter, Isabella, Queen of England, and mother of 
Edward III. On the death of Charles the Fair, the male 
succession to the throne devolved on Philip VI. of Valois, 
Charles's cousin-german ; and his title was universally ac- 
knowledged and supported by the French nation. 

2. But Edward III. of England was a nearer relative on 
the female side, and he asserted his claim in right of his 
mother. This claim gave rise to those contests for the French 
crown by the kings of England, which are so famous in the 
history of both countries. Edward invaded France with an 
army of 30,000 men, in order to enforce his claim, gained the 
famous battle of Cressy, in 1346, and besieged and took Calais. 
— In the midst of these misfortunes, Philip had the satisfaction 
of sieing Dauphiny annexed to the crown of France, by Hu- 
bert, the last count, on condition that the king's eldest son 
should beai' the title of Dauphin. 

3. Philip was succeeded by his son John II., surnamed the 
Ctooij; who was still more unfortunate than his father, being 
utterly defeated, in 1356, by the English, under the Black 
Prince, near Poictiers, and carried a prisoner to London, 
where he died. 

4. D; iring the captivity of John, the kingdom was thrown 
into the greatest disorder and confusion ; but soon after his 
son, Charles V., surnamed the Wise, ascended the throne, the 
condition of the country began to improve. This distinguished 
sovereign resolved to make France a match for England ; and, 
in order to effect this object, he deemed it necessary to restore" 
tranquillity to the people, and inspire them with confidence io 
the government. He raised to the office of Constable of 
France the celebrai^i^t Guescli?i, who was one of the great- 



Aehr^^t^i 



140 FRAf^CE. 



est generals of the age, though he is represented as so illiterate | 
that he was unable to read or write. The French, under his 
command, drove into Spain the banditti that had ravaged the ; 
country, routed Charles, king of Navarre, and expelled the ; 
English from all their possessions in France, except Bour J 
deaux, Bayonne, and Calais. i 

5. Charles was one of the best sovereigns that have sat on '. 
the throne of France ; a sagacious statesman, a beneficent ' 
lawgiver, a patron of literature, and an excellent man in 4is | 
private character. Hi? father left him a library of only 20 i 
volumes ; to which he added 900, which rendered it one of ihc ! 
gi'eatest libraries then existing ; and it was an immense number 
for that period, when printing was not yet invented. Charles 
may be regarded as the founder of the royal library at Paris, ■ 
which is now the largest library in the world. 

6. This eminent sovereign was succeeded by his son, Charles 
VL, styled the Well-beloved, a weak prince, subject to insanity, ! 
which, at last, reduced him almost to idiocy. His life and 
his reign were alike miserable, and all the fruits of the wisdom 

of his father's government were soon lost. His queen, Isa- 
bella of Bavaria, was of most infamous character, and the ' 
court was notorious for profligacy. The kingdom was gov- 
erned by a succession of regents, whose misconduct occa- 
sioned seditions and rebellions. >i/ 

7. During this calamitous state of France, Henry V. of 
England invaded the country, gained, in 1415, the memorable 
victory of Agincourt, and after obtaining other advantages, he ■> 
concluded the treaty of Troyes, by which his succession to the 
throne, on the death of Charles, was acknowledged. Henry ; 
and Charles both died soon after this transaction. >.. j 

8. Charles VIL, afterwards surnamed the Victorious, son 

of Charles VI., asserted his right to the crown ; and the infant ] 
Uenry VI. of England was also proclaimed King of Francsj 

jnder the regency of his uncle, the Duke of Bedford. Tho i 

English undertook the siege of Orleans, a place of the utmost j 

importance, and pushed their designs so successfully, that the i 

affairs of Charles seemed almost desperate, when they were i 
suddenly restored by one of the most marvellous transactions 
recorded in history. ^V^ 

9. An obscure country girl, 27 years of age, who had 
lived in the humble station of a servant at an inn, over- ^ 
threw the power of England. This was that wonderful hero- , 
me, Joan of Arc, otherwise called the Maid of Orleans, \vht\ i 
appeared at this juncture, pretending to be Divinely commis- I 
6i(^npd to deliver her oppressed country, and promising to raise 



FRANCE. 141 

the siege of Orleans, and to conduct the king to Rheims to be 
crowned. 

10. Her mission was pronounced by an assembly of divines 
to be supernatural ; and, at her own request, she was armed 
cap-a-pie, dressed like a man, mounted on horseback, entered 
Orleans at the head of the French troops, and actually com- 
pelle>:: we English to raise the siege '1429). Chailes, in obe- 
dience to her exhortations, proceeded to Rheims, which waa 
then in pussession of the English, entered it without difficulty, 
and was there crowned. Joan then declared that her missioi; 
was ended, and requested leave to retire ; but her presence 
was thought still necessary, and, being detained, she afterwards 
fell into the hands of the English, who condemned her fcr 
witchrraft and caused her to be burnt alive at Rouen. 

11. The French gained further victories, and the English 
were finally expelled from all their possessions in the country, 
except Calais. Charles now directed his attention to the im- 
provement of the internal condition of his kingdom, and was a 
useful and popular sovereign. The latter part of his life waa 
inibittered by the undutiful and rebellious conduct of his son, 
the Dauphin, by whom he was in such fear of being poisoned, 
that he is said to have died through want of sustenance. 

12. Louis XL, who was an odious compound of dissimu- 
lation, profligacy, cruelty, and superstition, is sometimes styled 
the Tihcrius of France ; yet he obtained from the pope the title 
of Most Christian, a title ever since annexed to the name of the 
French kings. He possessed, however, considerable talents, 
great application to business, and affability to his inferiors ; 
and he was the author of many wise laws and excellent regu- 
lations for the encouragement of commerce, and for promoting 
the administration of justice. 

13. It was his policy to humble the feudal nobles, who formed 
a confederacy against him, and engaged in a contest to preserve 
their authority, entitled " the war of the public good." The 
barbajity of the public executions during his reign is almost 
incredible : his own life was rendered miserable, especially 
towards its close, by the knowledge of his being generally 
hated, and by the torments of a guilty conscience. 

14. Charles VLLL., the son of Louis, succeeded to the throne, 
at the age of 13 years. He was mild in his disposition and 
courteous in his manners, and received the surname of the 
Affable, or Cicil. His father had acquired a claim to the king 
dom of Naples ; an J, on coming of age, he engaged in an eX' 
pedition for the conquest of that country, which was easily 
Hccemr>]ished : but the possessiori of it was soon lost. 



142 FRANCE. 



SECTION IV. 

Louis XII. ; Francis 1. , Henry II. ; Francis II. , Charlet 
IX. , Henry III — From A. D. 1498 to 1589. 

1. Charles VIII., who was the last of the direct lim; of the 
hoyse of Valois, was succeeded by Louis XII., Duke of Or- 
leans, great-grandson of Charles V. He was a beneficent and 
popular sovereign, though injudicious and unfortunate in his 
enterprises. Being frugal in his policy, he diminished ho 
taxes and burdens of his subjects, and gained the title of 
"■ the Father of his People." He retained the ministers of 
the late king in office, even those who had treated him ill be- 
fore he came to the throne. " It is unworthy of the King of 
France," said he, " to punish the injui'ies done to the Duke of 
Orleans." 

2. Near the commencement of his reign, he reduced Milan 
and Genoa, and afterwards prosecuted his claim to Naples, 
but though, by the aid of his generals, the celebrated Chevalier 
Bayard and Gaston de Foix, he obtained some advantages, he 
v/as ultimately unsuccessful, and became the dupe of his 
allies, Ferdinand of Spain, and the infamous Pope Alexander 
VI. ; and the former, by treachery, got possession of the whole 
of Naples. 

3. At this period, the republic of Venice, on account of its 
wealth, acquired by commerce, excited the envy and jealousy 
of its neighbors, particularly of the politic and ambitious Pope 
Julius II., who projected against it the famous League of 
Cambray, in 1508, which was composed of the Pope, the Em- 
peror of Germany, and the Kings of France and Spain. Louis 
entered with spirit into the war against Venice, and gained the 
famous victory of AgnadeUo. But the confederates afterwards 
quarrelled with each other, and a new league was formed 
against France. 

4. The French, under the command of Gaston de Foix^ 
gained a victory over the new confederates at Ravenna, but 
it cost them the life of their commander. The death of tliis 
celebrated hero was fatal to Louis, for he soon afterwards lost 
all the places which he possessed in Italy, and was compelled 
to evacuate the country. In the midst of his preparations to 
recover these losses, Louis died suddenly, and the exclamation 
of " The good king is dead ! " was heard on every side. 

5. Francis L, Duke of Angouleme, and nephew of Louis 
XIL, succeeded to the throne, at the age of 21 years. lie was 



FPAINOE. 143 

i>f a romantic turn, fond of war, and eager for gloiy ; and he 
departed from the frugal maxims of his predecessor, and soon 
distinguished himself by the conquest of the Milanese. 

6. In 1519, on the death of Maximilian^ Emperor of Ger- 
many, Francis and Charles V. (who was then King of Spain) 
became rival candidates for the imperial crown. Francis, 
speaking with Charles respecting the object of their competi- 
tion, said, with his natural vivacity and frankness, " We are 
suhoi-s to the same mistress ; the more fortunate will win her, 
but the other must remain contented." 

7. Charles was the successful candidate ; and Francis, MdioTe 
heart was too much set upon the prize to lose it with quit't 
feelings, retired disappointed, and thu-sting for revenge. Tht 
two rivals were now declared enemies, and their mutual claimsi 
on each other's dominions were the subject of perpetual hos- 
tility dui'ing nearly the whole of their long reigns. 

8. The reign of Charles V. forms a distinguished period in 
hioxory, — memorable not only for the wars and contests 
among the states of Europe, but still more so for the estab- 
lishment of the Reformation, the advancement of literature, 
the extension of commerce, and the impulse given to the prog- 
ress of society. Charles was the greatest sovereign of the 
age, and superior to his rival, Francis, both in policy and 
power. ' Other distinguished sovereigns of the same age wei'6 
Henry VIII. of England, who was courted by both of the 
rival monarchs, and, in some degree, involved in their wars , 
Solijman the Magnificent., Sultan of Turkey, a formidable 
enemy of Charles ; Gustavus Vasa of Sweden ; and Pope 
Leo X. 

9. In the contest between the two rivals, the first hostile at- 
tack was made by Francis on the kingdom of Navarre, which 
was won and lost in the space of a few months. The emperor 
a. tacked Picardy, and his troops, at the same time, drove the 
French out of the Milanese. Francis quarrelled with his best 
general, the Constable of Bourbon, who, in revenge, deserted 
to the emperor, and was by him invested with the chief com- 
mand of his armies. The French king marched into Ita'y 
with great success, and laid siege to Paria ; but was here, in 
152.5, defeated by Bourbon, and taken prisoner. 

10. Francis was detained some time at Madrid by CharloSj 
who compelled him to comply with disadvantageous terms of 
peace. After being set at liberty, and having passed the bound- 
aries between Spain and France, he mounted h.s horse, and, 
waving his hand over his head, exultingly exclaimed, several 
times, " I am yet a king ! " Charles had not treated him with 
generosity, having extorted from him more promises than a 



144 FRANCE 

king, restored to freedom, would be likely to perform, and 
more than his subjects would assent to. The violations of this 
treaty occasioned, between the two sovereigns, insulting chal- 
lenges and new wars. 

11. After war had been prosecuted with various success, a 
truce was at length agreed upon, and a circumstance took 
place, which brought the rival monarchs, who had been en- 
gaged 20 years in hostilities with each other, to a persona 
interview, m 1538, at Aignes Mortes, in the south of France. 
On meeting, they vied with each other in expressions of respect 
and friendship. The next year, Charles obtained permission 
of Francis to pass, through France on his way to the Nether- 
lands, and was entertained, during a stay of six days in PariSj- 
with great magnificence. j 

12. Charles having afterwards refused to give up Milan to 
France, as he had promised, the war was again renewed with 
redoubled animosity ; but its final issue, as had usually been 
the case, was unfavorable to the designs of the King of France, 
who died immediately after the restoration of peace. 

13. Though Francis was engaged in war during the whole 
of his reign, and was unsuccessful in his projects, yet he left 
his kingdom in a floui'isbing condition. He was a patron of 
literature and the arts, which made great progress in France 
during his reign ; and at this period, the French court acquired 
much of that external polish and refinement for which it has 
been since distinguished. 

14. Francis possessed, in a high degree, those qualities 
which captivate the multitude, — impetuous courage, great de- 
cision and activity of mind, a frank disposition, and a generous 
heart ; and there was a polish about his manners, an amiable- 
ness about his more common actions and his mode of perform- 
ing them, and a delicacy and strictness of honor about his 
whole conduct, which characterize a finished gentleman. Yet 
he was far from being actuated by a sense of justice and good 
faith in his public character ; nor were his private morals free 
from reproach. He formed his plans with too little delibera- 
tion, and was wanting in perseverance. It was his misfortune 
to contend with a rival, who was more than a match for him in 
policy and resources. 

15. Henry II., the son and successor of Francis, was brave / 5 
affable, and polite, in some respects resembling his father, yet 
possessing far less talent, and easily governed by favorites. 
His reign, which was 13 years in duration, was spent m war 
chiefly with Charles V., and his son, Philip II. of Spain. 
Charles sustained a great loss at the siege of Metz ; oat Philip 



FRANCE. 14ft 

obtained over Henry, in 1557, the famous victory of St ' / 
Quentin, in commemoration of which he built the palace of : 

the Escurial. 

16. This war, the success of which had not been much to 

the satisfaction of either party, was terminated by the treaty ) 

of Chateau Cambresis. The reign of Henry was signalized j 

by the recovery of Calais from the English, and by the in- 
crcfise of those persecutions of the Calvinists, or ProUstanls, 
often also called Huguenots, which had been begun in the 
reign of his father, and which gave rise to the civil wars which 
iislrkcted France during the three succeeding reigns. j 

17. The successor of Henry II. was his son, Francis II., /J~-* 
the first husband of Mary, afterwards Queen of Scots, who ' 
died after a reign of one year, and was succeeded by his brotli- . / -/ 
er, Charles IX., then a boy only ten years old, who had for h's 
guardian his mother, Catherine de Medici, an ambitious, in« i 
triguing, and unprincipled W'Oman. j 

I 

18. At this time, the Protestant religion had spread exten- 
sively in France, and was professed by some men of great in- J 
fluence at court, among whom were the Prince of Condi and I 
Admiral Coligny. 

19. At the head of the Catholics was the ambitious and 
powerful family of the Guises, consisting of five brothers, the I 
most prominent of whom were the Duke of Guise and tlie 
Cardinal of Lorraine, who were leading men in the govern 

ment. To the intolerance and cruelty of this family the ' 
Protestants attributed all their calamities ; and the conspiracy ', 
of Amboise was formed for the destruction of the Catholic 
leaders. It was, however, discovered* and about 1,200 con- 
spirators were massacred and executed. , 

20. In 1561, a public conference was held for discussing the ) Jr o ^ 
points in dispute between the two parties. In this dii.cussi®n, • 
Theodore Beza defended the cause of the Protestants, -and the \ 
Cardinal of Lorraine that of the Catholic church, before the ) 
king, the princes of the blood, and a number of nobles a ad ! 
dignified ecclesiastics. The differences, however, were not to ' 
be decided by words ; but not long after, an edict was publish- 
ed, granting liberty to the Protestants to exercise their worship I 
without the walls of towns. But this edict being soon violated, # I 
both parties flew to arms, and commenced the sanguinary civil J ] 
war which, for a long time, harassed the kingdom. --,/_ 

21. The Catholics, under the command of Guise and Mont' 
morency, defeated the Protestants, commanded by Conde and \ 
Coligny, in several engagements; but the latter were stil". I 



146 FRANCE. 

powerful, and obtained, in 1570, conditions of peace, •which 
granted them amnesty and liberty of conscience. But thia 
treaty of peace, so far as Catherine de Medici and her party 
were concerned, was an act of treachery, got up for the pur- 
pose of luring the Protestant chiefs to their destruction. 

22. The marriage of Henry of Navarre (afterwards Henry 
IV. of France) with Margaret, King Charles's sister, waa 
celebrated with great pomp on the 18th of August, 1572 
Most of the Protestant nobility and gentry, with Admi^'ai Colig« 
ny at their head, were induced to attend on the occasion , and 
three or four days were spent in all sorts of festivities. A 
plan for the massacre of the Protestants having been arranged, 
the execution of it was intrusted to the Dukes of Guise, Anjou, 
and Aumale, Montpensier, and Marshal Tavannes. At a very 
ear^y hour in the morning of the 24th, St. Bartholomew'' s day, 
the signal was given, and the work of slaughter commenced ; 
and, before five o'clock in the morning. Admiral Coligny and 
his friends, without regard to age or sex, were murdered in cold 
blood. The court leaders, as they galloped through the streets, 
shouted, " Death to the Huguenots ! — treason ! — courage ! - — 
kill every man of them ! — it is the king's orders ! " The fury 
of the populace was excited to such a degree, that it could not 
easily be restrained ; the slaughter was partially continued for 
three days ; and, to gratify private hatred or revenge, many 
Catholics were slain by the hand of Catholic assassins. 

23. This inhuman butchery, which was commenced at Paris, 
was extended throughout France, and the whole number mur- 
dered is stated by Snlly at 70,000 ; though some state it at 
only 25,000. The French historian, De Thou [Thuanus], ob- 
serves of this massacre, that " No example of equal barbarity 
is to be found in all antiquity, or in the annals of the world." 

24. Charles, who is represented by some to have given his 
consent with reluctance to the plot, after having done it, ex- 
pressed the hope that not a single Huguenot would be left alive 
tc reproach him with the deed ; and the next day he went 'n 
Btate to the parliament of Paris, and avowed himself the autl.ci 
cf the massacre, claiming to himself the merit of having cnere- 
by given peace to his kingdom. 

25. When the news of this horrible transactior was heaid at 
Rome, solemn thanks were given for " the tnumph of the 
church militant!" Charles died soon after tb.-i massacre, for 
which he is said to have suffered the bitterest remorse. Not- 
withstanding the distractions of this unhappy reign, many wise 
laws were enacted through the influence of the celebrated 
chancellor De VHopital. 



FRANCE. 1 n 

26 Charles was succeeded by his brother Henry III., a 
w^tak, fickle, and vicious monarch. The massacre of St. Bar- 
iholomew served rather to strengthen than weaken the Protes- 
tants, who were now a powerful party, and had at their head 
the Prince of Conde and the King of Navarre. Henry found 
it expedient to grant them some privileges : this measure in- 
censed the Catholics, who, with the Duke of Gxdse at ttxe-' 
head, formed the celebrated League for the purpose of extir 
pating the Calvinists : it had also another and more secret ob 
jcct, that of usurping all the powers of government. 

27. The king was persuaded to unite himself with thia 
league, and took the field against the Protestants. But he soon 
found himself deprived of a great part of his authority by ihe 
Duke of Guise ; and after repeated contests, Henry caused the 
duke, and his brother, the Cardinal of Lorraine, to be put to 
death by the hand of assassins. This act excited an insurrec- 
tion throughout France, and subjected the king to the abhor- 
rence of his subjects ; and he was soon after assassinated 
himself by James Clement, a Dominican friar. 



SECTION V. 

House of Botjrbon : — Henry IV. ; Louis XIIL ; Louis 
XIV. — From A. D. 1589 to 1715. 

1. As Henry III. died without children, and the house of 
Valois was extinct, the throne passed to the house of Bourhon, 
in the person of Henry III., King of Navarre, who now be- 
came Henry IV. of France, afterwards surnamed the Great, 
His mou?r had avowed herself the protector of the Reformed 
religion, in which he had been educated. He was now in his 
B6th year ; an able general, possessed of distinguished talents 
and popular qualities, for the exercise of all which he soon 
found ample occasion, as his being a Protestant prejudiced the 
greater part of his people against him. 

2. The army of the League was now commanded by the 
Duke of Mayenne, brother of the late Duke of Guise, who pro- 
claimed his uncle, the Cardinal of Bourhon, king, by the title 
of Charles X. Henry defeated this army in the famous battle 
of Ivry (1590). 

3. Meeting afterwards with various obstacles, he was in- 
■Juced, by views of policy, in order to conciliate the majority 
of his subjects, to renounce Protestantism, and declare himself 
a C* tholic, He was then crowned at Chartres, and obtained 



148 FRANCE. 

absolution from the Pope. To his old friends, the Cdlvin- 
ists, who had been his defenders, and by whose aid he as- 
cended the throne, he granted, in 1598, the celebrated 
Edict of Nantes, by which he confirmed all their rights 
and privileges, giving them free admission to all offices of 
honor and profit. 

4. After Henry was quietly seated on the throne, he turr.ed 
his attention to the improvement of the internal condition of 
his kingdom ; encouraging agriculture and commerce, causing 
mulberry-trees to be planted, and silk-worms to be reared 5 
and in all his patriotic designs, he found an able assistant in h.s 
grea: minister, the Duke of Sully, in whom he possessed what 
king- can rarely boast of, — a true friend. The civil war, of 
near.y thirty years' duration, had produced the most calami- 
tous effects : the crown was loaded with debt ; the country un- 
cultivated ; the people poor and miserable : but by means of 
the wise and prudent measures which were adopted, the face 
of things was soon happily changed ; and, during this reign, 
all the state debts were discharged. 

5. Henry, with the aid of Sully, formed a romantic scheme, 
styled the grand design, for dividing Europe into 15 states, so 
arranged as to avoid the grounds of war, and secure perpetual 
peace. With regard to his real motive, there have been differ- 
ent opinions ; but the object, whatever it might be, was to be 
obtained by force of arms. Having made great preparations 
for war, just before he was to set out to put himself at the head 
of his army, he was assassinated, in 1610, by Ravaillac, a 
bigoted Catholic, in the 21st year of his reign, and the 57th of 
his age. 

6. Henry was the most popular sovereign that ever sat on 
the throne of France. His person and manners wei'e prepos- 
sessmg, at once inspiring affection and commanding respect : 
his talents were great, both as a general and a statesman ; but 
his master virtue was his love for his people. His soldiers 
and his subjects regarded him with the affection of children. 
When asked what the revenue of France amounted to, he re- 
plied, " To what I please ; for, having the hearts of my peo- 
ple, they will give me whatever I ask. If God sees proper 
t: spare my life, I will take care thai France shall be in such 
u condition, that every peasant in it shall be able to ha/e a 
fowl in his pot." 

7. Notwithstanding his many noble qualities as a sove»-eign 
and a man, yet, as a husband, he is little to be commei\ded ; 
his dissoluteness rendered his domestic life unhappppand the 
manners of his court were rendered profligate by ,t^% example 
ol' his libertine conduct. No less than 4,000 French gentle. 



FRANCE. 149 

men are said to have been killed in duels, chiefly arlsi.ig out 
of amorous quarrels, during the first 18 years of his reign. 

8. Henry was succeeded by his son, Louis XIII. , then a boy 
in his 9th year. Mary de Medici., the mother of the young 
king, who was appointed regent, disgusted the nobility by her 
partiality for Italian favorites, and the kingdom soon i-elapsed 
into th3 most fatal disorders. But the abilities of Cardinal 
Richelieu., who, after the king became of age, was made Pri_ne 
Minister, soon effected a great change. It was his policy to 
promot3 rather the aggrandizement of the kingdom, than the 
true interests and happiness of the people. His three leading 
objects were, to subdue the turbulent spirit of the French no- 
fa lity, to humble the power of the Protestants, and to curb the 
encroachments of the house of Austria. 

9. The Protestants, alienated by persecution, attempted to 
throw off their allegiance, and establish an independent state, 
of which Rochelle was to be the capital. Richelieu laid siege 
to this city, which, after maintaining a most obstinate resist- 
ance for a year, during which 15,000 persons -perished, was 
forced to surrender (1628). By this event, the civil war was 
ended, and the Protestant power in France finally crushed. 

10. The cardinal entered deeply into foreign politics, influ- 
enced all the courts of Europe, and was continually engaged 
in vast projects for humbling his enemies, and extending his 
influence abroad, or in checking the designs which were formed 
against his power and his life at home. A rebellion was ex- 
cited by the Duke of Orleans, the king's brother, supported by 
the Duke of Montmorency ; but their army was defeated, and 
Montmorency executed for treason. Amidst all this turbu- 
lence and intrigue, the haughty and ambitious cardinal extend- 
ed the glory of the French name to distant regions, commanded 
the respect of all the European powers, patronized literature 
and sc.ence, and instituted the French Academy. 

11. Louis was so completely under the influence of E che- 
lie 1, that his character is little seen. He acquired the epithet 
of Just ; but if he were entitled to it, the injustice and cruelly 
of some of the public measures of his reign must be imputed 
pntiruly to his minister. 

12. Louis XIV. (sometimes surnamed the Great) succeedec 
to the throne, in 1643, in the 5th year of his age, under the 
regency of his mother, Anne of Austria, who made chcice of 
Cardinal Mazarin for her minister. Mazarin was an artful 
Italian, whose excessive avarice rendered him odious to the 
people ; but one of his greatest faults was his neglect of the 
education of the young king, who was instructed only in dan« 

13* 



150 FRAJNCE. 

ciriCT, fencing, and other superficial accomplishments. The ad- 
ministration of Mazarin was signalized by the defeat of the 
Spaniards, and by intestine commotions, particularly a civil 
war, called the Fronde, fomented by Cardinal de Retz, and 
supported by the aristocracy. 

13. On the death of Mazarin, Louis, being now 22 years of 
age, took upon himself the entire command and direction of 
the affairs of government, and entered on a vigorous and 
splendid career. The love of glory was his ruling passion, 
and this he pursued, not only by the terror of his arms and tho 
splendor of his conquests, but also by his patronage of litera- 
ture, science, and the arts ; by his able administration of in- 
ternal affairs ; and by the extension and improvement of all 
kinds of public works. The capital was embellished, the 
splendid palace of Versailles built, commerce and manufac- 
tures encouraged, the canal of Languedoc, and other useful 
works, constructed. 

14. The finances were admirably regulated by Colbert, one 
of the ablest statesmen of modern times : in the former part 
of his reign, his armies were commanded by Conde and Tu- 
renne, two of the greatest generals of the age ; and the geniua 
of the famous Vauban was employed in fortifying his towns. 

15. For a long time, he was everywhere successful : he 
conquered Franche Compte, and annexed it to France ; made 
great conquests in the Netherlands ; overran Alsace ; and 
twice laid waste the Palatinate with fire and sword. Such 
was the barbarous devastation, that, in the first instance, from 
the top of the castle of Manheim, 27 cities and towns of the 
Palatinate were seen, at the same time, in flames ; and in the 
second instance, more than 40 towns and a vast number of 
villages were burnt, and the inhabitants reduced to the great- 
est extremities by hunger and cold. - -iMUinin 

16. In 1675, Turenne was killed by a cannon-ball ; Condi 
soon after retin'd ; and CoZteri died. No men of fqual talents 
arose to supply their places. The conquests of Louis had 
b<Jon made at such an enormous expense, that his dominions 
weie, in a measure, exhausted, and his means of defence 
weakened. He had, by his unbounded ambition, by the vio- 
ler.ce and injustice of his projects, and the alarming increase 
of his power, gradually raised up, among the states of Europe, 
a formidable opposition to his authority, which gave rise to 
long and bloody wars. 

17. By the League of Augsburg, which was organized in 
1686, Holland, Spain, Sweden, and the Emperor and several of 
the princes of Germany, were united against him. In 1701, 
',he a liance against France, by England, Germany, and Hol< 



FRANCE. 15' 

land, was formpd ; and a series of reverses marked the latter 
part of his long reign. His armies had now to contend against 
tlie genius of the Duke of Marlhoroiigh and Prince Eugene, who 
gained over them the celebrated battles of Blenheim, RamiUies, 
Oadenarde, and Malplaquet ; and at the peace of Utrecht, he 
lost nearly all that he had gained. 

18 One of the most unjust as well as impolitic measures :)f 
Louis was the revocation (1685) of the Edict of Nantes., 
granted by Henry IV., for the toleration of the Prctestants. 
By this barbarous act, all the Refornied churches were de- 
stroyed, their ministers banished, and every individual was 
outlawed, or compelled to renounce his religion. They were 
hunted like wild beasts, and great numbers were put to death. 
By this measure, the kingdom lost from 500,000 to 800,000 of 
her most useful and industrious citizens, who were driven into 
exile, and carried ihe arts and manufactures of France, ir 
which the Protestants greatly excelled, to other countries. 

19. Louis died in the 73d year of his reign, and the 78th 
of his age. His reign was the longest and most brilliant in the 
history of France, but not the happiest for his country ; and 
his government was more despotic than that of his predeces- 
sors. " The greater part of his reign," says Anquetil, " may 
be considered as a spectacle with grand machinery, calculated 
to excite astonishment. Towards the end, we behold nothing 
but the wrecks of that theatrical majesty, and the illusion 
vanishes." 

20. Louis was one of the handsomest men in his kingdom 
and excelled in all the polite accomplishments. In his appear- 
ance and manners there was an extraordinary degree of dig- 
nity and majesty, which were softened and tempered by 
affability and politeness ; so that, if he was not the greatest 
king he was at least, as Bolingbroke expresses it, " the best 
actoi of majesty that ever filled a throne." 

21. He possessed great vigor of mind, and good talents, 
which were, however, but little improved by education. His 
morals were dissolute, and his ambition and love of gloiy were 
insatiable, and led him to violate the duties of justice and 
humanity, and to sacrifice the real interests of his people He 
patronized every species of merit, and his reign, which b re« 
garded as the Augustan age of French literature, was lest' illus- 
trious for military achievements, than for the splendor of the 
arts and sciences. 



152 FRANCE. 



SECTION VI. 



Louis XV.; Louis XVI. : — The Revolution. — Front A. D 
1715 to 1793. 



2^'' 



1. Louis XV., great-grandson of the late king, succecdec 
to the throne, in 1715, in his 6th year ; and the Duke of Or- \ 
leans was appointed regent. This regency is remark abliT^v ] 
chiefly for the famous Mississijjpi scheme of Laiv, who formed/ i 
a project to pay off the national debt by the introduction of a ' 
paper currency ; — a scheme which was ruinous to the for- i 
tunes of thousands. I 

2. Louis, soon after he came of age, chose for his minister 
the mild and amiable Cardinal Fleury, who was then 73 yeara ; 
of age, and retained his vigor till near 90. By his pacific j 
counsels, the tranquillity of France, and even of the rest of I 
Europe, was continued, with little interruption, for nearly 20 ; 
years. • _ _ --,. \ 

3. After the death of Fleury, France was involved in the \ j 
war of the Austrian Succession, which was occasioned by the ' 
death of the emperor, Charles VL There were two claimants ] 
to the imperial throne; Maria Theresa, the late emperor's j 
eldest daughter, who was married to Francis of Lorraine, >' 
Grand Duke of Tuscany ; and Charles, the Elector of Bavaria, ■ 
The former was supported by England ; the latter by France i 
and Prussia. In this war, the French were defeated by the * 
allies, under George IL of England, at Dettingen ; but, under '\ 
Marshal Saxe, they gained the battle of Fontenoy. Hostilities ! 
were terminated, in 1748, by the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, by i 
which the claim of Maria Theresa was acknowledged. 

4. In 1755, a war broke out between France and Englanci> 
respecting their American possessions, which was terminated ■! 
by the peace of Paris, in 1763, when Canada and the other ; 
French territories in North America were ceded by France to 
Great Britain. The remainder of this reign was chiefly occu- ' 
pied with the conquest of Corsica, and contests between the 
king and his parliaments. ^ 

5. Louis died, after a reign of 59 years, at the age qf 65 i 
He possessed nothing, as a king or a man, that entitled him to i 
the gratitude or affection of his people. In the early part of ' 
his r^ign, his subjects conferred upon him the title of Well 1 
beloved ; but a long course of rapacity, profusion, and tyranny, ( 
as a monarch, and of the most profligate debaucheries in pri« 1 
rate lif'^, induced them to retract the appellation. His reiga 



FRANCE. li« 

resembled that of Charles 11. of England, in its pernicious in- 
fluence on the interests of religion, morality, and liberty. Hia 
own odious character ; his attempts to crush the spirit of free- 
dom ; the prodigality of his government ; the extreme profligacy 
of his court, — all conspired to loosen the bonds between the 
sovereign and his subjects, and prepare for the overthrow of 
all the ancient institutions of the kingdom ; and the geut-ral 
uneasiness and the murmurs of the people indicc^ied ap» 
proaching storms. 

6. Louis XVI. succeeded his grandfather, in 1774, at the 
age of 20 years. He was a man of correct morals, upright 
intentions, desirous of correcting abuses, but was wanting in 
decision of character. His post was one beset with great diffi 
culty and danger from various quarters. It was difficult eithe* 
to do good or to continue evil, as the privileged classes were 
as little disposed to submit to reforms as the people to abuses. 
The finances, by reason of the long course of prodigality, were 
in the most embarrassed condition ; and the people. Irritated 
by the tyrannical conduct of the late sovereign, were now 
more than ever alive to their rights. 

7. One of the first measures of the new king was, to remove 
from office those who, by their misconduct, had become un- 
popular, and had contributed to the distresses of the kingdom, 
and to replace them by men of talents and integrity. Turgot 
was placed at the head of the finances, and Mcdesheries was 
made Minister of the Interior. These enlightened statesmen 
attempted useful reforms, which offended the courtiers and 
privileged orders ; and, after a short ministry, they retired 
from office. 

8. The celebrated Necker, a Protestant of Geneva, and a 
banker, succeeded Turgot, and pursued the system of economy 
and reform ; but, becoming unpopular with the courtiers, he 
was displaced. The important office of the general control of 
the finances had now become exceedingly difficult to fill. Two 
financiers having attempted, without success, to supply the place 
of Necker, the office was given, in 1783, to Calonne, who 

•abandoned reforms, and made a boast of prodigality. 

9 War between Great Britain and the American Colonies 
haviig broken out, many Frenchmen, among whom were the 
Marquis de Lafayette, and other officers and engineers, cross- 
ed the Atlantic to aid the Americans; and France soon after 
declared war against England. On the return of peace, in 
1783, the difficulties increased ; the enormous public expenses 
had brought the finances into the most embarrassed condition, 
and the government was reduced to a stand for want of supplies 
10. Various causes had been, for some time, at work to pro 



154 FRANCE. 

duce a revolution in France, which was now about to burst 
foi'th, and convulse not only that country, but the whole civil- 
ized world. Some of the principal of these causes were, the 
progress of philosophy, the diffusion of information, and the 
freedom of thinking on subjects of government and religion ; 
the notions and feelings in favor of liberty excited by the 
American revolution, and disseminated by the return of tho 
French officers and army from the United States ; the preva- 
lence of infidelity among the literary classes ; the despotism 
of the government, and the abuses both of the ecclesiastical 
and political establishments ; the odious privileges of the no- 
bility and clergy, especially their exemption from taxes ; the 
desire of the nobility to regain those privileges of which they 
had been stripped by the crown ; and the discont'^nt of the 
mass of the people on account of their oppressed condition, 
being the despised portion of the state, yet bearing all its bur 
dens. All these circumstances had an influence in preparing 
the way for this great event ; yet the more immediate cause 
of the revolution was the derangement of the finances. ^'^'SW 

11. All plans for restoring the finances to order having 
proved ineffectual, Louis, by the advice of Calonne, convoked, 
in 1787, an assembly of the Notables, a body consisting of 
persons selected by the" king, chiefly from the higher ordeis 
of the state. To this assembly it was proposed to levy a land- 
tax, proportioned to property, without any exception in favor 
of the nobility or clergy ; but being little inclined to make 
sacrifices, they refused to sanction the measure. 

12. Calonne, finding it impossible any longer to maintain his 
ground, resigned his office, and was succeeded by Brierme, 
Archbishop of Toulouse. But the assembly of Notables still 
continuing unmanageable and parsimonimis, recourse was then 
had to the Parliament of Paris, but without success, and a con- 
vocation of the States- General was demanded. This body, 
which was composed of three orders, nobility, clergy, and the 
third estate, or commons, had not hei^n assembled since 1614; 
and it never had a regular existence. 

13. Necker was again recalled to power ; and a second as- 
sembly of the Notables was convoked, in order to determine 
the form and composition of the States-General. Necker pro- 
posed that the deputies of the commons should equal, in num- 
ber, those of the other two orders united ; but the Notables re- 
fused to concur in the measure. It was, however, sanctioned 
by the king, and carried into eflTect. The commons chose able 
men ; and on the 5th of May, 1789, the assembly of the States- 
General was opened at Versailles. This body carried forward 
s revolution, vhich was now effectually commenced. 



FRANCE. • 155 

14. The king addi-essed the States-General in a conciliatory 
speech, no longer using the language of a sovereign who ex- 
pected implicit obedience to his will. But difficulties soon 
arose respecting the manner in which questions should be 
decided, whether by a majority of orders or of polls," and 
vvhether there should be a separation or union of the three 
branches. 

15. At length the deputies of the third estate, or commcna, 
with such deputies of the nobility and clergy as were dis- 
posed to unite with them, on the motion of the Ahhe Sieyes., 
declarDd themselves the supreme legislative body, under the 
title of the National Assembly, a body " one and indivisible." 
Of this assembly Bailly was chosen the president, and MirU' 
beau, a man of brilliant talents and great eloquence, was the 
popular leader. The Duke of Orleans, a descendant of Louis 
XIII., and the father of Louis Philippe, ex-king of the French, 
noted for his immense wealth and profligacy, was also a promi- 
nent member. 

16. The first decree of the National Assembly was an act 
of sovereignty ; and by proclaiming the indivisibility of the 
legislative power, it placed under its dependence the privileged 
orders. Thus Louis found that his authority was, in a great 
measure, wrested from him ; and the great body of the nobility 
and clergy, by their refusal to unite with the commons, like- 
wise saw themselves shut out from power, and their privileges 
nvaded. 

17. During the irritated state of the public mind, the king 
again dismissed Necker from office. This unpopular measure 
was the signal for insurrection in Paris, which was soon in a 
state of violent commotion. The Bastile, a huge state prison, 
was demolished by the populace ; other excesses were com- 
.nitted in the city and elsewhere, by the furious rabble, and by 
mobs of fi'antic women of the vilest character. The army 
united with the people ; the nobles emigrated for safety, and 
for foreign aid ; the king, queen, and royal famrly, were 
fcrced, on the 6th of October, from Versailles to the capital 
by the ungovernable mob ; but were protected from viok-nce 
by -he influence and efforts of Lafayette, who commanded the 
National Guard. In consequence of this removal, the Assembly 
adjourned its sittings to Paris. 

18. The progi'ess of the revolution was rapid, and producfsd 
the most important consequences. The seat of power was 
changed, and all the preliminary alterations were effected. 
The three orders were discontinued ; the States-General con- 
verted into the Assembly of the nation ; the royal authority 
oearly annihilated ; the privileges of the nobles and clergy, 



166 FRANCE. 

and the feudal system, in all its branches, abolislied ; religious 
liberty and the freedom of the press established ; the church 
lands confiscated ; the monasteries suppressed ; and Franco 
was divided into 83 departments. 

19. After these measures were accomplished, the great de- 
sign of the National Assembly was the formation of a consti- 
tution, and from this circumstance it is denominated the Con- 
stituent Assembly. While engaged in its deliberatiors, Louis 
and his family, finding their situation uncomfortatle, escaped 
from Paris, but were stopped on the frontiers of the kingdom, 
and brought back. A constitution, which established limited 
monarchy, and the equality of all ranks, was at length com- 
pleted, and accepted by the king, and the assembly dissolved 
itself on the 30th of September, 1791. 

20. The next assembly, styled the Legislative Assembly., 
met on the first of October, and was composed wholly of new 
members, as the members of the Constituent Assembly were, 
by their own act, excluded from holding seats in it. Soon 
after the commencement of the revolution, various political 
clubs were formed in Pai'is, of which the Jacobin club (so 
called from its meeting in a convent of suppressed Jacobin 
monks) was the most prominent, and insensibly absorbed all 
the rest ; and, for a time, this factious association governed the 
capital, and controlled the Assembly. 

21. On the 21st of September, 1792, a new body, styled 
the National Convention., commenced their deliberations ; and, 
at their first sitting, they abolished the regal government, and 
declared France a republic. The king was arraigned at tlieir 
bar to answer to various charges ; he appeared before them 
with a firm and manly countenance, and looked round ui^on 
the assembly with an air of resolution. ^jS 

22. Deseze, one of the defenders of the king, ended^is 
speech with these woi'ds : " Listen to History, who will say to 
Fame, — Louis, who ascended the throne at the age of twenty, 
•zarried with him there an example of morals, of iustice, and 
9f economy :' he had no weaknesses, no corruptmg passions, 
tnd he was the constant friend of his people. The people de 
ared that a disasti'ous impost should be abolished, and Louis 
Abolished it ; the people asked for the destruction of servitudes, 
And Louis destroyed them ; they demanded reforms, he con- 
vented to them ; they wished to change the laws by which they 
were governed, he agreed to their wish ; the people required 
that several millions of Frenchmen should recover their rights 
and tiicse he restored to them ; the people asked for liberty 
and he gave it. No one can dispute that Louis' had the glory 
of anticipating the demands of his peoj)le by making these 



FRANCE. 157 

sacrifices ; and it is he whom it has been proposed to.... Citi- 
zens, I cannot go on ; I pause in the presence of History : re- 
member that History will judge your judgment, and that her 
decision will be that of ages to come." 

23. But the passions of the Convention were deaf and un- 
moved ; and the sentence of death was pronounced by a 
majority of 26 out of 721 voters. The king was carried o 
the place of execution, and mounted the ladder of the scaffold 
with a firm step. " I die innocent," said he ; " I forgive my 
enemies; and you, unfortunate people...." At this moment, 
ihe noise of the drums drowned his voice ; the executioners 
seized him ; and the axe of the guillotine separated his head 
from his body, on the 21st of January, 1793. Thus perished, 
at the age of thirty-nine, and after a most disastrous reign of 
eighteen years and a half, this well-disposed, but most unfortu- 
nate monarch. 



SECTION VII. 

The Revolution continued : — Robespierre ; Bonaparte ; Euro- 
peon War : Bonaparte defhroned, and the Bourbon Family 
restored. — From A. D. 1793 to 1815. 

1. In 1793, the constitution of the republic was completed 
by the Convention ; the executive power was lodged in a Com- 
mittee of Public Safety ; and the revolutionary tribunal was 
erected under Robespierre and his associates, whose bloody 
domination is styled " the reign of terror.'''' Two factions 
soj&ft arose in the National Convention, one styled the Mountain 
party, frojTi their occupying the most elevated seats in the hall 
of the Convention, — these wei'e the most violent revolution- 
ists an 1 advocates for the extreme of democracy; the other 
named Girondists, because some of their leaders were from 
the department of the Gironde, — these were more moderate, 
and more distinguished for love of order and equity. The 
leaders of the former were Robespierre, Danton, and Marat., 
men almost unparalleled in depravity and cruelty : of the lat- 
ter, the leaders were Brissot, Vergniaud, and Condorcet. 

2. The Mountain party, having gained the ascendency over 
their opponents, were instrumental in causing the most horrid 
massacres. They condemned and executed the Queen An* 
toinette, and guillotined Brissot, Vergniaud, and 20 others of 
the Girondists. That monster of vice, the Duke of Orleans^ 
suffered the same fate from the hands of the very party that 

14 



;^l 



158 TRANCE. 

he had materially contributed to bring forward to serve his own 
purposes. 

3. The Convention abandoned themselves to the most e: 
travagant excesses : on the motion of Gobet, Archbishop of j 
Paris, they suppressed the Christian religion ; passed a de- \ 
cree that the only French deities hereafter should be Liberty ] 
Equality, and Reason ; established a republican calendar , ! 
abolished the Sabbath, and, instead of it, made every 10th day 

a day of rest. The churches were plundered of their gold 

and silver; and even their bells were melted and cast into ] 

cannon. | 

4. The Convention was at length divided anew into two j 
most violent parties ; Robespierre at the head of one and \ 
Danton of the other. Robespierre triumphed, and all his most ' 
active opponents were guillotined ; but his own fate soon fol- : 
lowed, being condemned and executed on a charge of tyranny, i 
in July, 1794. The Jacobins were soon after suppressed by '■■ 
the Convention ; and, during the next year (1795), the third ; 
constitution was proclaimed, the executive power being vested ■ 
m. five directors. — From 1791 to 1799, four different consti- \ 
tutions were formed. By the 4th, adopted in 1799, the execu- : 
tive power was vested in three consuls, of whom Bonaparte i 
was elected to be first, Cambaceres the second, and Le Brim | 
the third ; and, in 1802, these three were appomted consuls i 
for life. 

5. The French revolution was at first political, as directed , 
against the absolute power of the court and the privileges of ' 
the higher classes ; but it afterwards became military, because : 
Europe attacked it. The European sovereigns, fearful of its \ 
consequences in their respective dominions, attempted to put j 
it down ; but, on the contrary, they extended its sphere. It • 
was destined in its progress to work a change in the politics of ■ 
Europe, by terminating the struggle of the kings with each i 
other, and beginning one between the kings and t||e people ; ; 
and in its final result, it diminished the power of the sovereigirf ; 
and the privileges of the nobility and clergy, and promoted the j 
liberty of the people and the advancement of civilization. I 

6. Before the execution of the king, many of the clergy and j 
nobility, together with multitudes of persons, attached to the ; 
ancient order of things, had fled from France, through fear of [ 
personal danger, and to solicit foreign aid. A powerful body 
was thus collected on the frontiers, who were assisted by tho i 
surrounding nations, especially the Prussians and Avstrians, ; 
in their efforts to reestablish royalty and tranquillity. This • 
was the origin (1792) of the First of that series of coalitions , 
against France, into which nearly all the powers of Europe j 



FRANCE. 15d 

Buccessively entered. On the death of the king, Great Br. tain 
and Holland, and soon afterwards Russia and Spain also, de 
flared war against France. 

7. The invading army was commanded by >he Biike of 
Brunswick, who injudiciously published a threatening mani« 
festo, the effect of which was to irritate the revolutionists into 
greater violences, to hasten the execution of the king, and to 
unite all parties in the defence of the country. 

S. The combined invasion under the Duke of Brunswi.k 
was completely overthrown. France in her turn became the 
assailant, and her army under Dumouriez conquered the 
Netherlands in the autumn of 1792 ; and afterwards Holland, 
Switzerland, and a part of Germany, yielded to her arms. 
The republic, having made peace with several of the German 
princes, turned her views towards Italy ; and the command of 
tlio army was (1796) given to Napoleon Bonaparte, then a 
young man in the 27th year of his age, who had previously 
distinguished himself at the siege of Toulon. By a series of 
rapid victories, this extraordinary man retrieved the affairs of 
Fi'ance, and obliged the Austrians to sign, in 1797, the treaty 
of Campo Formio, by which the conquests of the French in 
the Netherlands were confirmed, and the Milanese ceded to 
the new Cisalpine Republic ; whilst the Venetian territories 
were given up to Austria. 

9. The Second Coalition was formed after the defeat of the 
French fleet, in 1798, by that of the English, under Nelson, m 
the bay of Aloukir, off the mouth of the Nile. Before this 
event, Bonaparte had invaded Egypt, defeated the Mamelukes 
in the battle of the Pyramids, ai>d taken possession of Cairo 
and all the Delta. 

10. In the campaign of 1799, the French were very unfor- 
tunate ; the Austrians, under the ArchdnJce Charles, and the 
Russians, under Smoarroia, gained a number of important vic- 
tories in the north of Italy, in Switzerland, and in Germani^i 
by their united forces, the very frontiers of France were 
threatened ; w^ ilst the ill conduct of the Directory at home 
brought the country to the brink of ruin. At this crisis., Bona- 
parte, who had proceeded from Egypt to Syria, and taken 
Jaffa, leturnod to Paris, and, by the aid of Fouche, Camlaceres, 
Tallcyi and, Lucien Bonaparte, and Sieyes, together with a 
military force, he abolished the Directory, framed a new con- 
stitution, and caused himself to be elected, in 1799, First Consul. 

11. From this moment, the affairs of the republic took a 
new turn. By his activity and energy, Bonaparte overtjame 
the intrigues of all his rivals, introduced a new order of things 
in the different departments of state, suppressed the varioni 



160 FRANCE. 

factions that had long raged in the empire, and, by tie ref. 
ormation of many abuses, restored order and tranquillity to tho 
government. 

12. After this, he put himself at the head of the army, and, 
having effected the celebrated passage of the Alps, defeated 
(1800) the Austrians under Melas, in the memorable battle of 
Marengo, wnich decided the fate of Italy. This victoiy, to- 
gether with the defeat of the Austrians, soon afterwards, at 
HoJien dnden, by the French under Moreau, and other suc- 
cesjies, led the way to the peace of Luneville with Austria and 
whe Gei man empire (1801), and afterwards to the peace of 
Amiens with England (1802). Thus Europe, for the first time 
since the late revolution, enjoyed the blessings of universal peace. 

13. The limits of France were now greatly enlarged, anciT 
Bonaparte, as First Consul, exercised an absolute sway ovei 
almost all the continent of Europe west of the Adriatic and 
the Rhine. Soon after the establishment of peace, he restored 
the Catholic religion, concluded a concordat or convention with 
the Pope, granted toleration to all religions, and instituted the 
Legion of Honor. 

14. He was next elected First Consul for life, with supreme 
power ; but a conspiracy was now formed against him, in 
which Moreau, Pichegru, Georges, and other eminent men, 
were accused of participating. Moreau was banished to 
America ; Pichegru was strangled ; Georges, and 1 1 others, 
were guillotined ; and the Duke d''EngJiien was shot without 
trial. — In 1804, Bonaparte was proclaimed Emperor of France^ 
and was crowned by the Pope : the next year, he assumed also 
the title of King of Italy, 

15. The peace of Amiens was of short duration. In 1803, 
the war was renewed between France and England ; Bona- 
parte seized Ha.iover, and threatened to invade the British 
isles, and in 1805, the Third Coalition was formed by Eng- 
land, Austria, Russia, Sweden, and afterwards Prussia. The 
emperor immediately put himself at the head of the French 
army ; carried his rapid and victorious arms to TJlm, where he 
captured the Austrian army of 33,000 men under Mack; and 
in the memorable battle of Austerlitz (1805), defeated the 
united forces of Russia and Austria, — at which battle the three 
emperors were present. This great victory terminated the 
campaign, and brought about the peace of Preshurg, by which 
Austria ceded to tjae French the Venetian territories, and sub- 
mitted to other humiliating conditions. 

16. A few weeks before the battle of Austerlitz, fhe English 
fleet, under Lord Nelson, gained a great victory off Cape TrO' 
falgar, over the combined fleets of France and Spain. Th«* 



FRANCE. 1.31 

Knglish captured 19 ships of the line, but lost their gro.it ad« 
aiirai, who was slain in the action. 

17. The King of Naples having permitted a British and Rus- 
sian arrny to land in his dominions, the Emperor of France 
deposed the Neapolitan dynasty, and raised his brother Joseph^ 
lo the throne ; he also compelled the Dutch to receive his 
brother, Louis, as King of Holland. He next subverted the 
con<..;i;ition of the German empire, and formed a union of 
several states, under the title of " The Confederation oj the 
Rhine " of which he was chosen protector. Francis II. sol- 
emnly resigned (1806) his title as " Emperor of Germany and 
King of the Romans," and retained the title which he had as* 
sumed in 1S04, namel)-, that of hereditary E?nperor of Aus- 
tria. The electors of Bavaria/ Wurteinherg., and Saxony 
joined the Confederation, and were raised, by Bonaparte, to 
the I'ank of kings. 

18. The vast accession of power acquired by this alliance 
was the cause of new jealousies, and hastened the Fourth 
Coalition., formed in 1806, by which Prussia, Russia, Austria, 
Sweden, and England were united in the war against France. 
Hostilities were commenced by the Prussians, without waiting 
for the aid of Russia ; but Bonaparte, with his usual good for- 
tune, gained over them the great battles of Jena and Auer- 
stadt, entered the capital of Prussia as a conqueror, and here 
commenced the '■'• Continetifal System'''' against English com- 
merce, by issuing the Berlin Decree., declaring the British 
islands in a state of blockade, and ordering all ports to be shut 
against them. The French army penetrated into Poland, and 
gained an advantage over the Russians, in the hard-fought bat- 
tle of Pultusk (1806). 

19. The following year (1807), Bonaparte fought with the 
Russians the indecisive battle of Eylau ; defeated them at 
Friedland ; and, having gained possession of Danlzic and 
Konigsberg, concluded the peace of Tilsit. Separate treaties 
were made with Russia and Prussia : the former gained a small 
acqujition of territory; but the dominions of the latter weie 
reduced almost one half ; both agreed to shut their ports againoi 
England, and thus became parties in the French emperor''a 
favorite object of excluding British commerce from the conti- 
nent. The provinces conquered from Prussia were erected 
into the new kingdom of Westphalia, of which Jerome Bona- 
parte was acknowledged king. 

20. The English government, in retaliation of Bonaparte'a 
Berlin Decree, issued their Orders in Council, by which all 
neutral vessels trading with France were compelled to stop at 
A British port and pay a duty. After the peace of Tilsity the 

•4* 



162 FRANCE. i 

emperor proceeded to Italy ; and at Milan, in consequence of i 

the Orders in Council, he issued (1807) his Milan Decree, by I 

which every vessel which submitted to British search, or con ] 
sented to any pecuniary exactions whatevei; was confiscated. 

21. Elated by his astonishing successes, the Emperor of ! 
France appeared now (1808) to consider himself as sovereign 
of Europe, and to set at defiance all principles of justice and ' 
moderation. Being ambitious of appropriating more of the i 
thr mes of Europe to his brothers and relatives, he next fixed ■ 
hia attention on Spain and Portugal ; and so decisive was he ' 
in the execution of his plans, that, in a short time, the rcya) , 
family of Portugal emigrated to Brazil. 1 

22. Though Charles IV., King of Spain, had shown himself ' 
subservient to the views of the French emperor, yet the latter ] 
was not content, but compelled the Spanish monarch to resign i 
his crown in favor of his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, whom he ' 
removed from Naples, and caused to be proclaimed King of i 
Spain ; and he raised to the throne of Naples Murat, who had j 
married his sister. ^">^! 

23. The Spaniards rose in opposition to this tyrannical ' 
measure, and, in this emergency, had recourse to England, i 
who readily aiSbrded her assistance. The war which was thua I 
excited in the peninsula continued to rage from 1808 to 1813; j 
and, in a series of engagements, the forces of England and ! 
Spain, under the command of Wellington and others, were, in 1 
most instances, victorious over the armies of France. Some ! 
of the principal exploits in this war were the desperate, but in- j 
effectual, defence of Saragassa, by Palafox, and the victories i 
of Wellington at Talavera, Salamanca, and Vittoria. { 

24. In 1809, while the war was raging in Spain, hostilities ' 
again broke out between France and Austria, which were pros- i 
ecuted by Bonaparte with his usual success. Having gained . 
advantages over the Austrians at Ahensberg, Eckmuhl, and i 
Ratision, he entered Vienna ; afterwards fought, against the j 
Aichduke Charles, the indecisive battle of Aspern or Essling^ 
and entirely defeated him at Wagram. j 

25. This war was terminated (1809) by the treaty of Vienna ' 
or Schoenhrunn, by which Francis II., the Emperor of Austria, : 
was compelled to submit to considerable losses of territory, to | 
accede to the " continental system," and, what was more liu 
miliating, to promise his daughter, Maria Louisa, in marriage • 
to his great and victorious enemy. In consequence of this i 
treaty, Bonaparte was divorced from his empress Josephine^ , 
and his marriage with the emperor's daughter was solemnized i 
April 1, 1810; and he thus became allied to the imperial ! 
Mouse of Austria. 



FRANCE. 163 

26. By the treaty of Tilsit, Alexander, the Empercr of Rus- 
Ilia, had ar ceded to Bonaparte's "continental system" against 
England, by agreeing to exclude British goods from his do- 
minions but the consequences of this measure were extreme- 
ly injurious to his subjects, and ruinous to his finances. The 
year (1811) was spent in negotiations and discussions ; but as 
they did not promise an amicable adjustment, both paities pre- 
pared for war. Early in the spring of 1812, Bonaparte col- 
lected, in Poland, an immense army, consisting of 400,000 
mfairy, 60,000 cavalry, and 1,200 pieces of artillery ; and 
on tl ti 24th of June, crossing the Nieinen, he invaded the llus 
gian territories. 

27. His march was directed towards Moscote, the ancient 
capital of the empire, and was everywhere marked with deso- 
lation and blood. He defeated the Russians at Smolensk • 
fought the tremendous battle of Borodino, or Moskica, in 
which nearly 30,000 men fell on each side ; proceeded after- 
wards to Moscow, which he found enveloped in flames, and 
abandoned by the inhabitants. The city had been set on fire 
by the Russians, in order to prevent the French from deriving 
any advantage from possessing it ; and nearly three-fourths of 
it were consumed before the conflagration ceased. 

28. This extraordinary transaction was the cause of the 
greatest mortification and disappointment to Bonaparte. He 
had imagined that, after obtaining possession of Moscow, he 
should become the arbiter of the whole Russian empire, and 
be able to prescribe to it such a peace as he should think 
proper. But his good fortune had now forsaken him ; and 
finding himself thwarted in this object, the Russian generals 
concentrating their forces around him, and the horrors of a 
Russian winter approaching, he thought it most prudent to 
evacuate the city, and retreat towards the frontiers. 

29. Then followed, amidst the solitudes and snows of Rus- 
sia, IV. consequence of cold and famine, a series of disasters, 
lo:5ses and sufferings, which are scarcely paralleled in history 
and which 'ssued in the almost entire destruction of the invad- 
ing army. About 30,000 horses perished by the severity of 
the weather in a single day ; all the pieces of cannon were 
lost , and only about 30,000 men remained to recross the 
Niemen. 

30. After the remnant of the French army had effected the 
disastrous passage of the Berezina, near the frontiers of Rus- 
sia, the emperor quitted it, and fled, in disguise, through Po 
land and Germany, to Pans. He resolved to hazard anothei 
campaign, and raised (1813) a fresh army of 350,000 men 
but he was now opposed by the Fifth Coalition, consisting of 



"0] 



164 FRANCE. ; 

Russia, Prussia, Austria, some of the confeaerates of tha - 

Rhine, and Sweden, subsidized by England. : 

31. Bonaparte again put himself at the head of his army, ! 
was \\ orsted by the Allies in the battle of Lutzen ; defeated ' 
them in the battle of Bautzen ; repulsed them at Dresden, \ 
where Moreau was slain ; but was utterly routed in the tre- ; 
mendous battle of Leipsic (Oct. 1813), with the loss of 40,000 i 
men in killed,, wounded, and prisoners. The combatants, in ! 
this action, called the " Battle of Nations," exceeded 400,000 , i 
a greater number than has been engaged in any other battle :E j 
modern times. l 

32. Bonaparte made his escape from the scene of his qc ! 
feat, and proceeded to Paris. In his address to the senate, he I 
frankly acknowledged his disasters. " All Europe," said he, \ 
" was with us a year ago, — all Europe is now against us." 1 
Having attempted in vain to rouse the French people, he again ; 
joined his army. In the mean time, the Allies had crossed the i 
Rhine, and penetrating, after a desperate struggle, into the 
heart of France, they entered Paris. "^^sv 

33. The situation of Bonaparte having now become hope- 
less, he abdicated the throne of France, and, after various de- ' 
liberations, the island of Elba was fixed upon for his future 
residence ; but he was allowed to retain the title of emperor. 
The mighty empire which he had raised was suddenly crum- ! 
bled to the dust; and Louis XVIII. was restored (1814) to .j 
the throne of his ancestors. i 

34. A General Congress of European sovereigns was im- | 
mediately assembled at Vienna, to arrange and settle the affairs ; 
of Europe, with a view to restore, yet with many variations, . 
the ancient order of things. But while the sovereigns were 
deliberating on these matters, Bonaparte, dissatisfied with his ■! 
situation, made another effort to regain the throne of France. 
Landing at Frejus, he marched with 1140 men, without op- , 
position, through the country ; presented himself in an open I 
carriage to the royal army at Melun ; was received with shouts j 
of applause ; the same evening, entered Paris in triumph, I 
amidst the loudest acclamations; was proclaimed emperor* | 
and Louis XVIII. fled, on his approach, to the frontiers. \ 
This progress of the exiled emperor through France, which . 
was one of the most extraordinary exploits that he ever per- : 
formed, is without a parallel in history, and evinces, in the ' 
most striking manner, his ascendency over the French nation. | 
In 20 days from his landing at Frejus, he found himself quietly I 
Wiated on the throne, without having spilled a drop of blood. | 

35. Aware that he had not returned to his former power, he i 
llierefore, in order to strengthen his authority, issued some 



FRANCE. 165 

popufar decrees, establishing the freedom of the press, abo!« 
shing the slave trade, and regulating the taxes which weighed 
ni^st heavily on the people : he also condescended to offer 
them the plan of a constitution very different from tlie system 
of despotism upon which he had before acted, and containing 
many excellent regulations. 

36. He had, however, but little time for legislative meas- 
ures. As soon as his arrival in France was known at Viennn,, 
hr was declared by the Congress a traitor and an outlaw ; 
and a new and formidable coalition was immediately formed 
against him among the European powers. He placed himself 
once more tit the head of a large army, but was entirely de- 
feated by the Allies under the command of WeUington and 
Bluclter, in the memorable battle of Waterloo, which cost the 
French army upwards of 40,000 men in killed and wounded, 

37. This battle sealed the fate of Bonaparte. He returned 
immediately to Paris, abdicated the ttirone in favor of his son 
and afterwards surrendered himself to Captain MaitJand, of 
the Bellerophon, claiming, in a letter to the Prince Regent of 
England, an asylum, " like ThcTiistocles, among the mos< 
powerful, most constant, and most genei'ous of his enemies." 
By the unanimous agreement of the allied sovereigns, he was 
sent a prisoner to St. Helena, where he arrived on the 17th of 
October, 1815 ; and there died on the 5th of May, 1821, in the 
6th year of his captivity, and 52d of his age.- — ■ 

38. The career of Bonaparte surpassed, in many respects, 
that of eveiy great conqueror who preceded him. No other 
man has appeared on the theatre of the world, who has been 
the cause of so many and so astonish! j.ig revolutions, or whose 
contemporary fame has been so widely extended. In his 27th 
year, he was raised to the chief command of the French army ; 
at the age of 30, he caused himself to be elected First Consul ; 
and in his 35th year, he was proclaimed Emperor of Franco 
During the ten years that he possessed the imperial throne, he 
was the most powerful potentate, not only of the age, but of* 
modern times; and he made the world tremble by the teiror 
of his name. 

39. He may be emphatically called a king-maker ; for he 
raised to the rank of kings three brothers, one brother-in-law, 
and three German electors ; Bcrnadotte, also, one of his mar- 
shals, was raised to the throne of Sweden. The last four were 
recognized, by the Congress of Vienna, among the legitimate 
sovereigns of Europe. 

40. He united in his own person, at an early period of hia 
life, and in an advanced state of society, the conqueror, the 
usurper, and the lawgiver. He triumphed over civilized en- 



i66 FRANCE. 

emies ; legislated in a refined age ; and seized upon t le sctp 
tre of a powerful and enlightened people, among powerful and 
enlightened rivals. To him France is indebted for an admi- 
rable code of laws, in the formation of which he was an effi- 
cient agent, in which he greatly prided himself, and with 
regard to which he was repeatedly heard to say, he " could 
wish to be buried with it in his hands." 

41. He favox-ed, in many instances, liberal principles; pat' 
ronized merit independent of rank ; encouraged liberally such 
branches of science as were useful to his pui poses ; granted 
religious toleration; removed or diminished many almses; 
broke down oppressive feudal and ecclesiastical institutions 
and establishments ; and left France, and also Europe, in 
many respects, in a better condition than he found them. But 
though he was not more unprincipled than other great con- 
querors have been, yet his ruling passion was evidently insatia- 
ble ambition and lust of power, to which he was ready to sac- 
rifice every principle of justice and humanity. No man ever 
enjoyed a greater opportunity of benefiting his species than he ; 
but this opr ^rtunity he cast away, except so far as it suited his 
o\Vn purposes of self-aggrandizement. He chose to be an 
Alexander or a Csesar, rather than a Washington ; a subverter, 
rather than a protector, of liberty ; a terror and a scourge, 
rather than a delight and a blessmg, to mankind. 

42. He exercised over his own dominions a military des- 
potism : his ambition prompted him to sacrifice, without scru- 
ple, the rights and independence of nations, and rendered him 
an enemy to freedom, and to the repose of the world. It wasj 
not, tlierefore, without reason, that the friends of liberty, of 
peace, and of human improvement, exulted at his downfall 
His eventful life, and his miserable end, furnish a most in- 
structive lesson on the instability of human affairs, and tht 
vanity of human glory. 



\ 



SECTION VIII 

Louis XVIII. ; Charles X. : — Revolution of 1830; Lo'dis 
Philippe : — Revolution of 1848 ; Republican Conslitulion ; 
Louis Napoleon, President. 

1. After the second dethronement of Bonaparte, Louis 
XVIII. was again (1815) placed on the throne, and a second 
pacification took place at Paris. France was reduced to nearly 
the same limits as before the revolt" ''on; she was compelled 
to restore much of the plunder which had been collected al 



FRANCE. 161 

Paris, to pay .£28,000,000 sterling, as a partial inieranification 
for the expenses of the war, and to maintain, for five years, an 
army of occupation, consisting of 150,000 allied troops, to 
be placed in 16 frontier fortresses. In 1817, the Allies con- 
sented to reduce the army of occupation to one fifth ; and ii- 
1818, it was wholly withdrawn. — Those officers who, in sp.'tf 
of their oaths to Louis, had sided with Bonaparte in his altemp' 
tc reascend the throne of France, were tried for treason a:i>2 
Condemned : some of them, among whom was Marshal AV?/ 
were shot ; and others were exiled. 

2. Louis XVIII., who was a man of cultivated mind ano 
liberal views, found his situation a difficult one, on account of 
(he conflicts of different political parties, the uLra-royaliMs, 
Bonapartists, and liberals ; and his policy was somewhat vari- 
able, though the ultra-royalist party, for the most part, had the 
ascendency. One of the principal events during his reign was, 
in concert with the northern powers of Europe (1823), an in- 
vasion of Spain, by a French army, under the Duke d''A?igoa- 
Ume, by means of which Ferdinand VII. was released from 
his thraldom, and restored to the plenitude of his power ; and 
the designs of the Constitufionalists of that country, for estab- 
lishing a more liberal system of government, were frustrated. 

3. Louis XVIII. was succeeded, in 1824, by his brother, 
Count d'Artois, who assumed the title of Charles X., and who 
was much inferior to Louis in talent, and in the liberality of 
his political views. Charles seems to have learnt little wis- 
dom from the troubles which the Bourbon family had experi- 
enced ; and he ascended the throne imbued with the exploded 
dogmas of a preceding age. His course of life had been very 
licentious ; but, before he came to the throne, his morals were 
much improved ; and he had become, and so continued as long 
as he lived, much under the influence of priests. 

4. His reign was signalized by two enterprises of foreign 
war of some importance : one in favor of the Greeks, in which 
France united with England and Russia ; the other agauist 
Algiers, which city, after a siege of six days, surrendered to 
the French army, on the 5th of July, 1830. 

5. The contests between the different political parties, which 
luxd agitated the preceding reign, continued and became more 
violent in this. Charles sided strongly with the ultra-royalists, 
and promoted men of that party to the highest offices ; and the 
government endeavored, in various ways, to check the rising 
spirit of liberty, by exerting an influence on the elections, by dis- 
solving the chambers, and by restraining the liberty of the press. 

6. In March, 1830, the Chamber of Deputies made a strong 
stand agamst the ministry, of which Prince Polignac was the 



168 FKaNCK. 

head ; and, in consequence of this, the chamber ws.3 dissolved 
by the king ; ne-w elections were ordered, and the two cham- 
bers were convoked for the 3d of August. The elections 
followed ; and it was soon found that the liberal party had se- 
cured a large majority. In consequence of this result, the 
ministers made a report to the king, which was pubhshed on 
the 26th of July, accompanied by three ordinances : one dis- 
solving the Chamber of Deputies, another suspending the liberty 
af the press, and a third altering the law of election. 

7. All the liberal newspapers in Paris were suppressed ; the 
bank refused to discount bills ; the manufacturers dischargetl 
their workmen ; and Paris was in a state of great commotion. 
On the morning of the 27th, the newspapers appeared as 
usual; and the 'seizure of the presses, and the imprisonment 
of the editors, were signals for revolution. 

8. The citizens immediately took up arms against the gov- 
ernment, and on the 29th, after a contest of three days, having 
obtained a complete victory over the king's guards, the liberal 
deputies, who had assembled in Paris, appointed General La- 
fayette commander-in-chief of the National Guards. The two 
chambers met on the 3d of August ; and the Chamber of Depu- 
ties, on the 6th, declared the throne of France to be vacant 
adopted the new-modelled charter, and voted, on the 7th, to 
invite the Duke of Orleans to become King of the French 
The Duke accepted the crown on the 8th, and took the pre- 
scribed oath on the 9th. 

9. Charles had already fled from Paris. He soon went to 
England, thence to Edinburgh, and resided for some time at 
Holyrood House. He afterwards proceeded to Austria, and 
died at Goritz, in Illyria, on the 4th of November, 1836, in the 
80th year of his age. 

10. Louis Philippe — (the son of the Diike of Orleans, who 
made himself infamous as the associate and dupe of the 
Jacobin party in the first French revolution, and who re 
nounced his family name, and assumed that of Egalitl) — 
was raised to the throne by the enemies of despotism and 
frienis of liberty and constitutional government. The authors 
of this revolutionary movement cherished the expectation that 
he would carry out their political principles ; but in this they 
were much disappointed. He proved himself to be a man of 
eminent ability, had able men for his ministers, among whom 
may be named Perier, Gerard, Mole, Thiers, Soult, and Gui- 
zot ; and he always exerted a strong personal influence in di- 
"ecting the measures of the government. 

1 1. His policy in relation to foreign states was pacific ; and 
the condition of France was greatly improved, during his reign 



FRANCE. 169 

A'ith respeci to education, agriculture, commerce, :\nd manu- 
factures ; also by internal improvement, particularly by exten- 
sive lines of railroad, which connect the capital with difleren' 
parts of the country. The navy was much increased ; and the 
city of Paris was fortified at immense expense, and in a style 
of grandeur unequalled in modern times. Louis Philippe 
however, did not make himself a popular sovereign, but mani- 
fested more inclination to increase his own power and aggran- 
dize his family, than to gratify the wishes of his subjects ol 
aicrease their political privileges. By his arbitrary measures 
in restraining the liberty of the press and the freedom of dis- 
cujsing political affairs, he iinitated the example of Charles X 
and he also shared a similar fate. 

12. The most considerable foreign achievement of the 
French arms, during this reign, was the complete subjugation 
of Algeria^ and its establishment as a French colony, which 
was effected after a long and sanguinary struggle with the na- 
tives. The heroic Arab leader, Ahdel Kader^ surrendered in 
1847. 

13. Although the government of Louis Philippe was con- 
ducted with ability, and the state of the country' generally 
prosperous, yet great discontent prevailed among the lower 
classes, particularly in the capital and other large cities. 
These classes were deeply imbued with dernocratic principles: 
revolts and conspiracies were frequent ; and no less than 
seven attempts were, during his reign, made upon the life of 
the king. 

14. Care was taJcen by the government to promote the inter- 
est and to secure the support of the wealthy and privileged 
classes, which possessed the exclusive right of voting at the 
elections ; and these classes upheld the throne, and sanctioned 
a system of excessive taxation, which enabled the king tc 
strengthen himself by the maintenance of a nume/ous army 
and by the multiplication of lucrative offices, which were be- 
stowed with an especial design of gaining support to the gov- 
eriunent. 

1 5. The system of obtaining a venal support of the govern- 
ment was carried so far as, at length, to disggpt all classes, 
The government was loudly charged with corruption ir pecu- 
niary matters, and with improper interference in elections. 
Great dissatisfaction was likewise excited by severe laws 
against the press, and against the right of public discussion. 

16. These offensive measures were ascribed to the influence 
of the king himself, rather than to his ministers ; and the im- 
pression gained ground among the people, that it was his inten- 
tion to abridge the liberties of France, and that he cared mors 



170 FRANCE. 

for the welfare of his family than for that of tho nation, ■ — a» 
impression strengthened by the eagerness which he exh.bited 
to contract marriages and alliances with the courts which were 
known to be most hostile to the progress of liberal principles. 

17. The popular discontent wss much augmented, in 1847 
by a severe commercial revulsion, which depressed trade, ]o\^ 
ered the wages of labor, and rendered almost intolerable the 
heavy taxation, which had been sufficiently oppressive even ir 
periods of the greatest prosperity. In that year, the opponent/^ 
of the government began to hold, throughout the kingdom, a se> 
ries of public dinners, or reform banquets, as they were termed, 
for the purpose of discussion and agitation. At these meet- 
ings, which were numerously attended, speeches were made, 
in which the conduct and measures of the government were 
criticized with great severity. 

18. At length it was resolved to hold a reform banquet in 
Paris, on Sunday, the 20th of February, 1848. The king's 
ministers (Guizot and his colleagues) directed the police to 
prohibit the meeting, on the pretence that it was of a seditious 
nature, and would cause disturbance of the public peacf- The 
friends of reform, deeming this prohibition illegal, df tf,imined 
to disregard it, though they postponed the banquet till '^/'i^esday, 
the 22d. 

19. On that day, vast crowds of citizens, greatly 'T.cited by 
the course of the ministry, assembled in the street? of Paris, 
and were soon engaged in conflict with the milit{ n~ forces 
which had been poured into the city to the number of nearly 
80,000. The people took arms from the shops ai o houses, 
raised numerous barricades, and attacked the Ch tmber of 
Deputies and the residence of Guizot, from both of which, 
however, they were repulsed by the troops. 

20. On the two following days, the insurrection be came still 
more general. The National Guards refused to act, or joined 
the insurgents, who were everywhere victorious against the 
king's troops, and finally carried by storm the Palais Roya' 
and the pa ace of the Tuileries ; from the latter of which iho 
throne was taken in triumph, and publicly burnt in the street. 
The king, aft^ repeated unsuccessful attempts to foim an ac- 
ceptable ministry, abdicated in favor of his grandson, the Count 
of Paris, and fled, with the royal family, to England. Guizot, 
the prime minister, also escaped to London. 

21. The revolutionists or insurgents, consisting chiefly of 
the people and workmen of Paris, refused all terms ol concili* 
ation or compromise, exclaiming, " It is too late ! " A pro« 
visional government was immediately instituted, consisting of 
the following seven distinguished men: Dupont de I/Eure 



FRANCE. 171 

Lamartine, Arago, Marie, Gamier Pages, Ledru-R pLin, and 
Cremieux. 

22. The provisional government immediately proclaimed 
France a republic, with the motto, " Liberty, Equality, Fra- 
(tefnity ! " A decree was issued abolishing all hereditary titles 
and distinctions of rank ; also abolishing slavery in the French 
colonies ; and ordering the election, by universal suffrage, of 
a national assembly of 900 members, to meet in Paris, on ihe 
4ih of May 1848, to frame a constitution. 

23. The National Assembly met on the 4th of May, and 
the government was organized. In the succeeding month of 
June, a violent insurrection broke out in Paris ; the city was 
declared in a state of siege, and, to restore order. General 
Cavaignac was appointed, by the Assembly, military dictator, 
or chief of the executive government. 

24. After a session of six months, the National Assembly 
proclaimed a constitution of a very liberal and democratic 
character, which provided for the election of a President, by 
universal suffrage, for the term of four years, with a provision 
that he could not be reelected ; and also for the election of a 
single legislative body, styled the National Assembly, consist- 
ing of 750 members. 

25. An election was made under this constitution in Decern 
ber, 1848, when Louis Napoleon [Charles Louis Napoleon Bo- 
naparte] was chosen by an immense majority, haying received 
about 5,500,000 votes out of about 7,500,000. He was to 
hold the office for four years, ending in May, 1852. 

26. Louis Napoleon is the nephew of the late Emperor 
Napoleon, and the son of Louis Bonaparte, late King of Hol- 
land His mother was Hortense, daughter of the Empress 
Josephine, by her first marriage. 

27. The Emperor Napoleon had four brothers, Joseph^ 
Lucien, Louis, and Jerome. Joseph, the eldest, left no sons ; 
and LucLcn, the second brother, being in disgrace in 1804, 
when Napoleon became Emperor, he and his posterity were 
excluded from the succession. Louis Napoleon, therefore, 
claims the right of succession, not by right of primogeniture, 
but by the laws of the empire, as established by his imperial 
uncle. — Previous to his election as President, he had been 
chiefly distinguished by two rash and abortive attempts to 
place himself on the throne of Louis Philippe: one at Strus 
hurg, in 1836 ; and the other at Boulogne, in 1840. 

28. A new National Assembly was elected in 1849, and th 
party which headed the democratic revolution was defeated 
The Assembly was not harmonious, and there was a great 
tvan; of harmony between the Assembly and the President. 

29. The most important transaction, m relation to foreiffO 



172 tHANCE. 

affairs, during the presidency of Louis Napoleon, was the in« 
tervention in relation to the government of the pope. In 1848. 
a revolution broke out at Rome; the pope, Pius IX., was de* 
prived of his temporal power ; a republican government waa 
established ; and the pope fled to Gaeta, in the kingdom of 
Naples. In April, 1849, a French army, commanded by 
General Oudinot, was sent to Italy, and after a se\ere attack 
and bombardment, the city of Rome surrendered, and on the 
3d of July, the French army entered it, overthrew the repub- 
lican government, anri pr3p°red the way for the pope to return 
r»^iristai;3d ..• ^ns former power. 

30. In 1851, Louis Napoleon, as the term of his presidemy 
was drawing near its close, had recourse to different manoeu- 
vres to get the clause m the constitution, that fori>ade his re- 
election, abrogated. After having failed to induce the Assem- 
bly to sustain his views, and having secured the support of a 
targe part of the army, he achieved, by a coup cfetat, one of 
Ihe most extraordinary usurpations recorded in history. Eai'ly 
m the morning of the 2d of December, he dissolved the As- 
sembly, seized and imprisoned such of the members as would 
not acquiesce in his usurpation, and also other liberal states- 
men, and some of the most distinguished generals, suppressed 
all the newspapers, except such as were devoted to his views, 
and declared, not only Paris, but a great part of the depart- 
ments, in a state of siege. 

31. Having thus possessed himself of power, he called on 
the people of France to vote, by universal siffrage, yes or no, 
on the question whether he should be President for ten years, 
with dictatorial powers. To this call, the people responded, 
by an immense majority, in his favor. He then proclaimed a 
cons.:!':ution, or form of government, which is one of the most 
despotic in Europe, and according to which the ministry are 
responsible only to him ; and he holds the appointment of the 
senators and council of state, and nominates the candidates 
^or election to the legislative body. 

32. On the 7th of November, 1852, the senate, in compli- 
ance with the will of the President, adopted a measure, by 86 
votes out of 87, to reestablish the imperial government, and 
the people were called upon to ratify the measure by their 
votes, on the 20th and 22d of that month. The vote was offi- 
cially declared on the 1st of December; the whole number of 
votes being 8,180,660, of which 7,864,189 were in favor of 
the empire. Thus, in just one year after the coup (Tetat, or 
usurpation of the President, he was, in accordance with the 
vote of the people, declared Emperor of the French, under the 
title of Ni^oleon III., and the hereditary title secured in his 
fa-Uv 



FRANCE. 



173 



Chronological Table of French History. — JVo. 1. 


From Pepin, 752, to the Death of Henry III., 1589. 


A. D. 




Kings. 


*< 




700 


— 




— 












Pepin \ 




CarloTingian Race. ' 




52 


16 


Son of Charles Martel, founds the second o; 


%th 






Carlovingian Race of French kings 




63 


Charlemagne \ 


46 


The greatest sovereign of the age ; founds, in 








800, the Empire of the West. 


800 


_ 
















14 


Louis lA "" 


26 


The empire divided into three kingdoms. i 




40 


ChailesTo «- 


37 


Battle of Fontenay ; invasion of the Normans 




77 


Louis n.*S — 


2 


INIakes grants to the nobles and bishops. 


%th 


79 


Louis Ii™ — 
Carloman \ ' 


5 


Reign jointly. 




84 


Charles IL 


4 


The imperial dignity transferred to Germany 




8s 


Eurtes 


10 






9S 


diaries IIL _ 


2i. 


Invasion of the Normans under Rollo. 


900 


_ 




— 










22 


Robert 


1 






2:j 


RoJolph 


13 


Defeats the Normans. 




3G 


Loui? IV 


18 


Surnanied Outremtr or Stranger. 


\Oth 


54 


Lothaire 


32 


Hugh the Grtal, a powerful nobleman. 


S6 


Louis V. 


1 


Governed by Hugh Capet, son of Hugh the Great. 










Capetian Race. 




S7 


Hugh Capet — 


9 


Obtains the crown ; founds the Capetian Race. 




96 


Robert ,^ 


35 


A victim of papal tyranny. 


1000 


— 


— 










31 


Henry I. '-^ 


29 


Prevalence of due/ling. 


nth 
1100 


8'J 


Philip L^-^ 


48 


First Crusade ; Peter the Hermit. 


— 










3 


Louis VL 


29 


An able and useful sovereign. 


I2th 


37 


Louis VIL — 


43 


Secoyid Crusade; St. Bernard; Abe.lard. 




SO 


Philip n.— 


43 


A powerful sovereign; third Crusade. 


1200 


— 




— 










23 


Louis Vin.— 


3 


Crusade against the Albigenses. 




2G 


Si. Louis IX. t- 


44 


Engages in two Crusades ; dies at Tunis. 


nth 


711 


Phiiip III 


15 


Massacre of the Sicilian Vespers. 




65 


Philip IV. 


29 


Quarrels with Boniface. Knights Templars 


1300 


— 




— 










14 


Louis X 


2 






16 


John \. 




Dies an infant four days old. 




16 


Philip V. 


* 5 


The Salic Laic recognized. 




22 


Charles IV. - 


6 


Supports his sister Isabella of England. 


14«/i 








Branch of Valois. 




29 


Philip VI. -~v 


22 


Defeated at Cressy, &c. ; gains Dauphiny. 




50 


John II. 


14 


Defeated at Puiliers. and taken prisoner. 




64 


Charles V. 


16 


Recovers the Enslish possessions. Library. 


1400 


SO 


Charles VI.'^ 


42 


Defeated by tlie English at Agincourt. 












22 


Charle.s VH— - 


39 


The siege of Orleans raised by Joan of Arc. 




61 


Louis XI. — 


22 


The Tiberius of France ; title Most Christian 


15?A 


S3 


Charles VIIL 


15 


Makes an expedition again-st Naples. 


1500 


98 


Louis XII. 


17 


Duke of Orlea?is ; League of Cambray. 







"— 






15 


Francis I. 


32 


Duke of AngoulSme ; an able sovereign; a pa- 
tron n( literature ; at war with Charles V. 




47 


Henry H. 


12 


Defeated at St. duentin ; recovers Calais. 




59 


Francis II. 


1 


Husband of Mary, (iiceen of Scots. 


16«A 


en 


Charles IX. 


14 


Civil Wars commence : Guise, Condi, and 
Coligny ; St. Bartholomew Massacre. 




74 


Henry HI. 


15 


League formed against the Pr >testant3 ■ the 


1 








king assassinated by James Clement. 









V 



15' 



174 



FRANCE. 



Chronological Table of French History. — JVo. 
From Henry IV., 1589, to the Revolution of 1848. 



A. P. 

1500 

mh 
1600 

mh 

1700 

18t/i 

1800 



mh 



Kings. 



Henry TV. 



Louis Xlir. 



Louis XIV. 



Louis XV. 



Louis XVI. 



Napoleon Bonaparte 

Louis XVm. 
Cliarles X. 
Louis Pliilippe 



President. 
Louis Napoleon. 



House of Bourbon. 

A great and popular sovereign ; triumphs over 

tlie League in the battle of Ivry ; renounces 

Protei3taritii3m and becomes Catholic ; issues the 

Edict of Nantes : Duke of Sully. 



Mary de Medici regent ; afterwards Cardina. 
Richelieu prime minister : Rochelle taken 
and the power of the Protestants crushed 
Revolt of the Duke of Orleans. 

Possessed of talents and unbounded ambition, 
his reign the longest and the most renowned 
for literature and the arts in French history, 
also distinguished for military achievements ; 
Colbert, Vauban, Turenne, and Conde : the 
canal of Languedoc formed : the Edict of 
Nantes revoked ; 500,000 Protestants exiled. 



Profligate and tyrannical; Mississippi Scheme 
of Law : Pacific administration of Cardinal 
Fleury ; War of Vae Austrian Succession, end- 
ed by the Peace of Aix-la-ChapeUe : War with 
England, and loss of Canada. 

Begins his reign in a time of great difficulty 
and danger ; Turgot, and afterwards Necker, 
ministers : the Americans assisted : the States- 
General convoked ; the National Assembly 
formed; and the Revolution begins, 1789. 

France declared a Republic, 1792 : Louis and 
dueen Antoinette beheaded, 1793: War with 
Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, &c. : Robes- 
pierre; Reign of Terror. {Louis XVII. dies 
179.5.) Bonaparte ; victories at Marengo, &c. ; 
made First Consul, 1799. 



Crowned emperor ; gains the victories of Aus- 
terlitz, Jena, &c., and extends his dominion; 
invades Russia, and gains the battle of Boro- 
dino ; retreats ; defeated at Leipsic ; deposed 
(1814) and sent to Elba ; escapes, and is over- 
thrown at Waterloo (1815) : sent to St. Helena. 

Restored. Constitutional Charter established : 
Louis displaced by Bonaparte, but again re- 
stored : Invasion of Spain. 

Arbitrary ; Vilele, Martignac, and Polignac, 
successively, ministers;. Despotic measures; 
Revolution ; Charles dethroned. 

Duke of Orleans ; able, but arbitrary : The 
Constitutional Charter remodelled : Algeria an- 
nexed to France : Education and Internal Im 
provement promoted : Censorship of the Press . 
Reform Banquets prohibited : Revolution : The 
King dethroned : Provisional Government : Re- 
publican Constitution. 

President of the Republic of France; Odillon 
Barrot Prime Minister ; Expedition against 
Rome. 



The figures on the left hand of the kings, in these tables, denote the coinmencemevi 
of their reigns. Thus it appears that Henry IV. began to reign in 1589, and reigned^ai 
fwrs. 



ENGLAND, 175^ 

ENGLAND. 

SECTION I. 

The History of England : The Roman Conquest : 'Hie Saxon 
Conquest : The Heptarchy. — Fro7)i B. C. 55 to A. D. S27. 

1. The history of no countiy, of either ancient or -noderi? 
times, is richer in various instruction, or calculated to excilo 
deeper interest, than that of England. We here see the grad- 
ual rise of a people from a low state of barbarism to the 
highest rank in national power, in the arts both of peac3 
and war, in commercial wealth, and intellectual and moral 
greatness. 

2. In England, liberty has maintained frequent and bloody 
conflicts with tyranny. No nation can boast of more arden* 
patriots, of firmer and more enlightened friends to the rights 
and liberties of mankind, or men of higher excellence, or of 
greater intellectual endowments, than are presented to us in 
the eventful pages of English history. 

3. To the citizens of the United States, the history of Eng- 
land is next in importance to that of their own country ; for it 
is, to a majority of them, the history of their own ancestors 
as it is also of the country from which have been dei'ived, in a 
great measui'e, their language and literature, and their civii 
and religious institutions. 

4. We feel a peculiar interest and sympathy in the conflicts 
which civil and religious liberty has there maintained with des- 
potism and bigotiy ; for our ancestors were, more or less, m- 
volved in them ; and the first settlement and early growth of 
our own country were, in a great degree, owing to oppressicn 
and persecution in the parent state. We have a fellow-feeling 
for the English patriots of former days, and the memoiy of 
John Hamjjden is scarcely held in greater honor in his native 
country than in this. 

5. Britain was little known to the rest of the wor'c' till the 
time of its conquest by the Romans. Julius Ccesar invaded 
the island 55 years before the Christian era, and conquered a 
part of it. In the reign of the Emperor Claudius, the Roman 
general, Ostorius, defeated the British king, Carac'tacus, and 
sent him a prisoner to Rome ; in the reign of Nero, Suetonius 
defeated the Britons under their queen, Boadicea ; and the Ro- 
nnan dominion was completely established by Agricola, who 



176 ENGLAND. 

first landed in Britain, A. D. 78. He met with an obstinate 5 " 
resistance from Galgacus, a Caledonian chief, but in a few 

years made a complete conquest of all the southern parts of I 

the island. i 

6. At the time of this conquest, the Britons were a rude ar d ' 
barbarous people, -divided into numerous tribes. They were 
clothed with the skins of beasts, and their property consisted | 
almost wholly in their arms and cattle. Their religion was i 
druidism, a cruel superstition ; and the druids, their priests, j 
possessed great authority. They taught the transmigration of i 
souls, and offered in sacrifice human victims, in great numbers. ' \ 

7. The Eomans built three avails across the island, in orde^ 

to prevent irruptions of the inhabitants from the north : the y 
first was built of turf, by the Emperor Adrian, extending froinj ] J 
Solway Frith to the mouth of the Tyne ; the second, by An- 
toninus, of earth and stone, reaching from the Forth to the -U' 
Clyde ; and the third by Severus, of stone, running nearly v(\f 
parallel with that of Adrian. Other works were also con- \ ' 
structed by them, the remains of which are still to be seen. In / / 
the 5th century, the Romans took their final leave of Britain, 'l'; 
465 years after the landing of Julius C^sar. '.^\ [r, S 

8. Soon afterwards, the Scots and Picts, from the northern 
part of the island, invaded and ravaged the country. The 
Britons, in their distress, applied for assistance to the Saxons, 
a warlike people, inhabiting the north of Germany. A Saxon 
amny of 1,600 men, commanded by two brothers, Hengist and ,. 
Horsa, came (449) to their relief, and the Scots and Picts were !^ ' 
defeated, and driven into their own territories. 

9. The Saxons, finding the country much superior to their ■ 
own, procured from Germany a reinforcement of 5,000 men, ; 
Saxons, Angles, and Jutes, took possession of Britain, and re- ^ 
duced the inhabitants to submission, or compelled them to leave j 
the country or retreat to the mountains. — From the Angles | 
IS derived the name of England. i 

10. Violent contests afterwards took place, in which King j 
Arthur, a British champion, is said to have defeated the Saxons ! 
m 12 different engagements. The whole history of this re- ' 
nowned pr'nce is regarded by many as a fiction. But, with ; 
respect to him, Lord Bacon observes, that " in his acts there is 
enough of truth to make him famous, besides that which is 
fnbulous." The Saxons, however, finally triumphed ; and in 
about 150 years after their invasion, the Heptarchy, or seven ' '^ 
Saxon kingdoms, were established, which subsisted about 200 
y^ars, exhibiting a series of dissensions and contests. At ' 
length, Egbert, a prince of the house of Cerdic, the first King \ 
of Wessex, by his prudence and valor, united them into oae 
rnona'chy, under the name ^f England, in 827. ] 



EINGLAND 177 

11. In 597, about 230 years previous to this event, Atigus- 
tine, with 40 monks, had been sent to Britain by Pope Gregory 
the Great, to convert the Saxons to Christianity : the Britons 
had long before been partially converted. The state of society 
however, was still barbarous. Christianity, in the defective 
f)rm in which it had been inculcated, had not banished tho 
ignorance of the people, nor softened the ferocity of their 
manners. / '■-^1'^'j 

■ v.i^'^J ' SECTION II. • fyj^ 

From the Foundation of the Monarchy to the Norman Cart' 
quest. — From A. D. 827 to 1066. 

1. Scarcely had Egbert established and regulated his infant 
monarchy, when he found himself assailed by formidable ene- 
mies in the Danes, whose depredations form a prominent fea- 
ture in the early history of England, and who continued, for 
upwards of two centuries, to be a scourge to the country. 

2. The reign of Alfred the Great, the 6th King of England, 
which began in 872, forms a distinguished era in the early 
history of the monarchy. In one year he defeated the Danes 
in eight battles. But, by a new irruption, they extended their 
ravages, and forced him to solicit a peace. He was compelled 
to seek his safety, for many months, in an obscure part of the 
country, disguised in the habit of a peasant, and lived in a 
herdsman's cottage as a servant. In this humble situation, the 
herdsman's wife is said, on one occasion, to have ordered him 
to take care of some cakes that were baking by the fire ; but 
he forgot his trust, and let them burn, for which she severely 
reprimanded him. 

3. Success having rendered his enemies remiss, and his fol- 
loweis having gained some advantages, he left his retreat ; 
anl, in order to discover the state of the hostile army, he en- 
ftOL'ed the Danish camp in the disguise of a harper. He excited 
ac much interest by his musical talents, that he was introduced 
to Guthrimi, the Danish prince, and remained with him some 
days. Having discovered the unguarded condition of the 
Danes, he returned to his adherents, and with a large force 
attacked his enemies by surprise, and defeated them with greai • 
slaughter. 

4. After having restored tranquillity to his distracted king- 
dom, he employed himself in cultivating the arts of peace, and 
in raising his subjects from the depths of wretchedness, igno- 
rance, and barbarism. According to various historians he 



178 ENGLAND. 

divided England into counties, composed a code of laws, as 
tablished trial by jury, founded the IJniversity of Oxft rd, insi- 
tuted schools, and, for the instruction of his people, translated 
a number of works into the Saxon language. 

5. The character of Alfred sliines forth with distinguished 
lustre m a dark age. He was one of the greatest and l)est 
sovereigns that ever sat on a throne, — equally excellent in his 
private and his public character. He was distinguished for his 
personal accomplishments both of body and mind, and is re- 
puted the greatest warrior, legislator, and scholar of the age in 
which he lived. 

6. He was succeeded, in 900, by his son Edward, surnamed 
the Elder, from his being the first English monarch of that 
name. He inherited the military genius of his father, and his 
reign was a continued, but successful, struggle against the 
Northumbrians and Danes, who were powerful in the north of 
England. 

7. Athelstan, an able and popular sovereign, was successfu. 
in his wars with the Danes, Northumbrians, Scots, Irish, and 
Welsh, and he enlarged and strengthened his kingdom. He 
caused the Scriptures to be translated into the Saxon language, 
and enacted a law which conferred the rank of thane, or gen- 
tleman, on every merchant who made three voyages to the 
Mediterranean. 

8. Edmund, after a short reign, was assassinated by the 
notorious robber, Leolf. Edred was the slave of superstition, 
and became the dupe of the famous Dunstan, who was after 
wards Archbishop of Canterbury, and was canonized as a saint ; 
and with regard to whose pretended conflicts with the devil 
ridiculous stories are related in history. Dunstan possessed 
great abilities, and, under the appearance of sanctity, veiled 
'he most inordinate ambition ; yet, in these times of supersti- 
tion and barbarism, he gained a wonderful ascendency over 
the sovereign and the people. 

9. Edioy, or Edwin, by marrying Elgiva, a beautiful pnn- 
cess nearly related to him, gave ofTence to Dunstan ; and 
Archbishop Odo caused her to be put to death in the most 
cruoi manner. 

10. Edgar promoted Dunstan to the archbishopric of Can- 
terbury, and made him his chief counsellor. His reign is re- 
markable for being the period in which England was freed 
from loolves. Edgar, having heard of the extraordinary beauty 
of Elfrida, daughter of the Earl of Devonshire, sent Athet 
wold, his favoi'ite, to ascertain the truth of it. Athelwold, 
overcome by the charms of Elfrida, on his return, assured tlie 
ki-ig thil the account of her beauty had been greatly exagger 



ENGLAND. 179 

ated, and obtained the king's permission to many her hims3lf 
But the king, having afterwards discovered the treachery of 
It s favorite, put him to death, and married Elfrida. 

11. Edgar was succeeded by Edward, his son by his firsi 
marriage, who was assassinated in the 4th year of his reign, 
and 19th of his age, at the instigation of his mother-in-law 
Elfrida; and from this circumstance he was surnamed the 
Martyr. 

12. Ethdred II., the son of Edgar and Elfrida, succeeded 
to ihe throne at the age of 11 years. He was a weak monarch, 
surnamed the Unready. The Danes again renewed their rav- 
ages, and, by order of the king, such of these foreignei'S as 
were settled throughout England were massacred, at the festi- 
val of St. Brice, without distinction of age or sex. The news 
of this barbarous transaction, arriving in Denmark, fired every 
bosom with a desire of vengeance. 

13. A large army of Danes, under their king, Sweyn, (who 
was the grandson of Beatrix, the daughter of Edward the 
Elder,) invaded and ravaged the country. Ethelred fled to 
Normandy, and Sweyn was acknowledged (1013) sole king of 
England ; but he survived his exaltation only a short time, and 
Ethelred was again restored. The latter, dying not long after- 
wards, was succeeded by his son, Edmund, surnamed Ironside 
from his strength and valor ; but his abilities and courage were 
insufficient to save his sinking country. ^^ 

14. On the death of Sweyn, his son Canute was proclaimed 
King of England by the Danes. Having expelled a youngei 
brother who had usurped the throne of Denmark, Canute as- 
serted his claim to the crown of England, invaded the country 
with a numerous army, and compelled the king to divide his 
dominions with him. Edmund was soon after murdered by 
the treachery of Edric, his brother-in-law, and Canute became 
sole monarch. He was the most powerful sovereign of his 
time in Europe, and was styled the Great, from his talents and 
successes. In the former part of his reign he was severe, but 
in the latter part mild and beneficent ; and he died lamented. 

15. Canute was succeeded by his son Harold, whose priii- 
eipal amusement was the chase, and who obteined the surname 
of Harefoot, from his swiftness in running. On his death, the 
ihijr.e was filled by his brother, Canute II., or Hardicanute, 
the last of the Danish kings. The reigns of these two mon- 
archs were short, and signalized by few important events ; and 
both died without issue. 

16. The English now shook off" the Danish yoke, and le 
stored (1041) the Saxon line in Edward, brother of Edimmd 
Ironside, though the rightful heir of this line was Edward 



ISO ENGLAND. 

Burnamed the Outlaw^ the son of Edmund Ironsido. who was 
now an exile in Hungary. Edward had been educated in a 
monastery ; and with regard to his life, says Mr. Burke, " there 
is little that can call his title to sanctity in question, though he 
can never be reckoned among the great kings." He married 
the daughter of Godioin, the Earl of Kent, an ambitious and 
powerful nobleman, who acted a conspicuous part during this 
reign. Edward was canonized by the Pope, and received the 
surname of Confessor ; and it was pretended that he was fa- 
vored with the special privilege of curing the scrofula^ or 
king's evil. This power was long supposed to have descend- 
ed to his successors, and the superstitious practice of touching 
for that disorder was continued by the kings of England from 
this period till the revolution of 1688. 

17. Edward the Confessor, dying without children, is said 
to have bequeathed the crown to William^ Bake of Normandy^ 
though Edgar Atheling, the son of Edward the Outlaw, was 
the rightful heir. Yet Harold, the son of the Earl Godwin, and 
grandson of Esthritha, daughter of Sweyn, was elected and 
proclaimed king by the nobility and clergy. 

18. William of Normandy resolved to maintain his claim to 
the crown of England by force of arms ; and, having raised 
an army of 60,000 men, he invaded the country. Harold, at 
the head of an army about equal in number, met him, and was 
defeated and slain in the memorable battle of Hastings (1066). 
The Normans lost about 15,000 men, and the English the 
greater part of their army. The nation soon submitted to the 
sceptre of William, who was surnamed the Conqueror, and 
whose descendants have, to this day, occupied the throne ot 
England. 



SECTION III. 



V 



The Norman Family : — William I. , the Conqueror Wil- 
liam 11. ; Henry I.; Stephen {of Blois). — From A. I. 
1066 to 1154. 

1. William possessed great abilities boih as a statesman and 
a warrior. In his person he was tall and well proportioned, 
and is said to have been so strong, that scarcely any other per- 
son in that age could bend his bow or handle his arms. " He 
had," says Mr. Burke, " vices in his composition, and great 
ones ; but they wei-e the vices of a great mind ; ambition, the 
malady of every extensive genius ; and avarice, the madness 
of the wjsie : one chiefly actuated his youth, the other governed 



ENGLAND. 18 

his age. I'he general run of men he looked on with conlempi 
ftnd treated with cruelty when they opposed him." 

2. He disgusted the English by promoting his Norman fol- 
lowers to all offices of importance. He caused the Norman 
language to be adopted in the service of the church, as well aa 
in the courts of justice. He is said to have introduced ihe feu- 
dal system, and to have exchanged trial by jury for the per- 
nicious one of single combat ; and he compelled the people to 
ext'nguish their fires at the sound of the curfew bell [the fire- 
coiering bell], which was rung at 8 o'clock in the e\ening. 

3. By his forest laws he reserved to himself the exclusive 
privilege of killing game throughout the kingdom; and made 
t a greater cr. ne to take the life of an animal than that of a 
man. He formed the New Forest by depopulating a tract 
of country about 30 miles in circuit, demolishing 36 parish 
churches, together with the houses of the inhabitants. One 
of the most useful acts of his reign was his compiling Dooms- 
day Book, which contained a register of all the estates of the 
kingdom. 

4. William 11. , surnamed Rufus, from his red hair, inher 
ited the ambition and talents of his father ; and was, like him, 
tyrannical, perfidious, and cruel. After a reign of 13 years, 
which was disturbed by insurrections, and by quarrels with the 
ecclesiastics, particularly with Ansehn, the primate, he was 
accidentally shot by Sir Walter Tyrrel, with an arrow aimed 
at a stag in the New Forest. 

5. Henry I., surnamed Beauclerc, or the Scholar, on ac- 
count of his learning, was the younger brother of William 
Rufus. He took advantage of the absence of his eldest 
brother, Robert, the rightful heir, who was on a crusade to 
the Holy Land and secured the crown for himself. He in- 
vaded his brotlur's Norman dominions, and Robert, on his re- 
Jurn. was iefeated, taken prisoner, and confined in Wales till 
his death. 

6. Henry married Matilda of Scotland, great granddaughter 
of Edmund Ironside, and in this way the Saxon and Norman 
families were unitf J. The 'atter part of his life was rendered 
disconsolate by the loss of his only son, who was drowned on 
his passage from Normandy ; and from that fatal moment he 
waa never seen to smile. Henry was an able, courageous, 
a."<i accomplished sovereign ; but ambitious, licentious, and 
ungiateful. 

7. On the death of Henry, the crown fell by right to hia 
daughter, Matilda, or Maud, married first to Henry F., Em* 

16 



182 ENGLAND. 

peror of Germany, and aftei'wards to Geoffrey Plantagenet 
Earl of Anjou By the latter she had several children, of 
whom the eldest bore the name of Henry. But Stephen., a 
nephew of the late king, the most popular nobleman in the 
kingdom, and distinguished for his ambition, valor, generosity, 
and courtesy, seized upon the crown. Matilda immediately 
landed in England, and, raising a small army, defeated Ste 
phen, and took possession of the crown ; but her haughty md ■ 
despotic behavior caused a revolt, and Stephen, in his turn, de^ 
feated her, compelled her to quit the kingdom, and again ob 
tained possession of the throne. 

8, Henry., the son of Matilda, afterwards invaded England, 
and, during the heat of the contest, Eustace, the king's eldest ' 
son, was removed by a sudden death. Soon after this event, 
the jarring interests of the two parties were reconciled, Ste- | 
phen being allowed to retain the crown during his life, and | 
Henry being acknowledged as his successor; and this trans- I 
action was shortly afterwards followed by Stephen's death. — i 
During this reign, England was harassed and desolated by a I 
succession of civil contentions and wars, which were carried I 
on with unrelenting barbarity by the pillage and destruction of 5 
the inhabitants, and the conflagration of the towns. 



Vn 

SECTION IV. 

Family of Plantagenet : — Henry II. ; Richard I. ; John , 
Henry III. ; Edward I. ; Edioard II. ; Edioard III. , 
Richard II. — From A. D. 1154 to 1399. 

1. Henry II., the first of the Plantagenets, being descended 
by his grandmother from the Saxon kings, and by his moth^i 
from the Norman family , succeeded to the throne, to the great 
satisfaction of the nation. He is sometimes called Shortmantle 
bocaiise h? brought the use of short cloaks out of Anjou 19 
England, .n addition to England, he possessed, by inherit- 
ance, and by his marriage with Eleanor, heiress of the duchy ! 
of Guienne, nearly one half of France, and, during his reign, 
he conquered Ireland ; so that he had more extensive domin : 
ions than any English monarch who had preceded h:m, and; 
was the most powerful sovereign of his age. Of Eleanor, his 
queen, Sir James Mackintosh says, " She was the firebrand of 
his family, in whose eyes the fair dowry of 4i^iii,taine sppeared ( 
a cover for every crime." 

8. The different countries of Europe had for a century 



ENGLAND. 183 

been agitated with the contest between church and s.ate, or 
the ecclesiastical and civil authority. This contest reached its* 
height in England during Henry's reign, of which it forms a 
prominent fea'ure. Thomas a Becket, the hero and manyr 
of the ecclesiastical party, a man of extraordinary talents and 
inordinate ambition, exalted his power to such a degree, that it 
would admit of a question, whether the king or the archbishop 
was the first man in the kingdom. Becket had for some time 
held the office of chancellor, and lived in the manner of a 
prince ; but, on assuming the office of Archbishop of Canter- 
Imry, he dismissed his splendid train, cast off his magnificent 
apparel, abandoned sports and revels, and wore the habit of a 
monk. " Religion," says Sir James Mackintosh, " might ac- 
quire a place in his mind which she had not before ; but it wa.s 
so alloyed by worldly passions, that it is impossible for us to 
ti-ust on any occasion to the purity of his motives." 

3. During the preceding reign, the power of the clergy had 
increased to a most exorbitant height ; they were also extreme- 
ly corrupt in their morals, and committed with impunity the 
most enormous crimes. No less than 100 murders are said to 
have been proved, in the presence of the king, to have been 
committed by ecclesiastics since his accession ; and holy or- 
ders were esteemed a sufficient protection for every species of 
crime. 

4. Henry resolved to restrain the authority, and reform the 
abuses, of the clergy, and for this purpose he summoned, in 
1164, a general council of the nobility and clergy at Claren- 
d(>n, and submitted to them 16 propositions, which were agreed 
to, and are known under the title of the Constitutions of 
Clarendon. Among other things, it was enacted, that clergy 
men accused of any crime should be tried by temporal judges. 
Becket, however, made the most resolute and /ormidable re- 
sistance to the changes proposed by Henry; and, after. a long 
series of contests with the haughty primate, the king was, on a 
certain occasion, so exasperated by his conduct, that he rashly 
exclaimed, " What ! among all those whom I have obliged, is 
there none who will avenge me of that insolent priest .? " The 
words were scarcely spoken, when four knights of distinguished 
rank, interpreting the king's complaints as commands, set out 
with a resolution to avenge the wrongs of their sovereign. 
They pursued the prelate into the cathedral, and assassinated 
nim before the altar. 

5. The account of this transaction filled Henry with con- 
sternation, and caused great excitement in England. Becke* 
died a martyr to ecclesiastical authority, and the manner of his 
death effected the triumph of his cause. He was canonizod 



; 



i 



184 ENGLAND 

by the Pope as a saint, by the title of St. Thomas of Canter* 
hurt/ ; and numerous miracles were pretended to be wrought 
at his tomb, which became a celebrated resort of pilgrims, 
100,000 of whom are said to have been present at a jubilee 
which was observed once in 50 years. 

6. Henry publicly expressed his sorrow for having used the 
rash words which had occasioned the death of the primate, and 
expiated his offence by a humiliating penance at his tomb. 
Having approached within three miles of Canterbury, he qis* 
mounted, walking barefoot over the flinty road, when, m some 
places, he marked with blood, to the consecrated spot ; spenl 
diere, in fasting and prayer, a day and night, and even pre- 
sented his bare shoulders to be scourged by the monks with a 
knotted cord. The assassins did penance by a pilgrimage to 
Jerasalem, where they died ; and this inscription, in Latin, was 
put on their tomb : " Here lie the wretches who murdered St. 
Thomas of Canterbury." 

7. The latter part of Henry's life and reign presents ac in- 
volved and deplorable scene of family discord and contention, 
sons against their father, wife against husband, and brother 
against brother. His three eldest sons, instigated by their 
mother, and assisted by Louis VIL, King of France, engaged 
in a series of rebellions, with a design to wrest the crown from 
their father. 

8. Queen Eleanor left her husband, and openly asvsociated 
herself with the rebellion of her sons ; but she was, while 
making her way to the court of France, taken, dressed in man's 
clothes, brought back to Henry, and kept in confinement dur- 
ing the rest of his life. The queen had been irritated against 
her husband by his neglect and infidelities, and particularly by 
his attachment to Rosamond Clifford, who, under the title of 
the Fair Rosamo7id, is described as a woman of extraordinary 
beauty, and who made a conspicuous figure in the romancea 
and ba lads of the times. 

9 Henry had manifested for his children, in their more 
early years, an affection bordering on excess ; and when he at 
last, found that his youngest, unworthy, but favorite son, John, 
like all the rest, had joined tne confederacy against him, he 
felt that his cup of affliction was full ; gave himself up tc 
transports of ungovernable grief; cursed the day of his birth; 
altered imprecations against his sons which he could never be 
prevailed upon to retract ; and, worn out with cares, disap 
pointments, and sorrows, died of a broken heart. * 

10. The character of Henry may be regarded as a mixture l 
of the qualities, good and bad, naturally arising out of strDng ■' 
intellect, a strong will, and strong passions. He was distin- J 



ENGLAND. 185 

^iiished both as a warrior and a statesman ; and he is ranked 
ani(jng the ablest and most useful sovereigns that have occu» 
pied the throne of England. The government was still des- 
potic ; but the power of the barons was restrained during this 
reign, and the laws better administered than they had been 
since the Conquest. 

11. Henry was a patron of the arts, particularly of Gothic 
arcliitecture ; and his reign is remarkable for being the period 
when many of the sumptuous Enghsh edifices were erected, 
and also for the introduction of various improvements with re- 
gard to the conveniences and comforts of life. The arts of 
luxury, however, were yet in a rude state. Glass windows 
were regarded as a marlc of extraordinary magnificence ; and 
the houses of the citizens of London were constructed of wood, 
covered with thatch, with windows of lattice or paper ; thoy 
had no chimneys ; and the floors were covered with straw. 

12. The description of the magnificence displayed by Becket, 
while he was chancellor of the kingdom, will afford some idea 
of the rude state of the arts. Nobody, it is said by contem- 
porary wrhers, equalled him in refinement and splendor. 
" Every day, in winter, his apartments were strewed with 
clean straw or hay, and, in summer, with rushes or leaves, that 
those who came to pay their court to him might not soil their 
fine clothes by sitting on a dirty floor." I 

13. Richard I., surnamed Coiur de Lion, or Lion-hearted 
who succeeded his fatlier, Henry II., commenced his reign by 
a cruel persecution of the Jews. The frenzy for the crusades 
was, at this period, at its height in Europe. To a prince of 
the adventurous spirit and military talents of Richard, these 
enterprises presented irresistible attractions ; and after making 
preparation, he, in connection with Philip Augustus of France, 
embarked on an expedition to the Holy Land. They took 
A ere in concert ; and Richard, especially, acquired great re- 
nown by his exploits, and defeated the heroic Saladin in the 
battle ^f Ascalon, in which about 40,000 of the Saracens wero 
slain. 

14. On his voyage homeward, being shipwrecked, he dis- 
guised himself, with an intention of travelling through Ger- 
many ; but he was discovered, and imprisoned by the emperor 
He was ransomed by his subjects for the sum of ,£300,000 
and, after an absence of nine years, returned to his dominions, 
but he died, not long after, of a wound which he received a} 
the siege of the castle of Chaluz, in France, belonging to on« 
vf his rebellious vassals. 

15. Richard, who has been styled the Achilles of moderii 

16* 



186 ENGLAND 

history, was preeminent for his valor, which was ahnost h:s 
only merit. Even a century after h.s death, his name waa 
employed by the Saracen cavalier to chide his horse, and by 
the Saracen mother to terrify her children. His ambition; 
tyranny, and cruelty, were scarcely inferior to his valor ; liis 
laurels were steeped in blood, and his victories were purcha^^ed 
with the impoverishment of his people. 

16 Richard was succeeded by his brother John, who is s\;ip- 
pose a to have murdered his nephew Arthur, who was the son 
of Geoffrey, an elder brother, and the rightful heir, Pliilip 
Augustus of France supported the claim of Arthur to the 
throne; and, on account of his being murdered, he stripped 
the English monarch of his possessions in that country. In 
consequence of this loss of his territories, John received the 
surname of Lackland. 

17. John excited against himself the displeasure of Innocent 
III., the haughty and tyrannical pontiff, who proceeded to lay 
the kingdom under an interdict, and afterwards excommuni 
cated the king, and absolved his subjects from their allegiance. 
The wretched monarch was intimidated into submission, and 
on his knees solemnly surrendered his kingdom to the holy 
see, consenting to hold it as the Pope's vassal. In this manner 
he made peace with the church, but he brought upon himself 
the universal contempt and hatred of his people. 

18. The barons, under the direction of Langton, the pr- 
mate, formed a confederacy, and demanded of the king a rat- 
ification of a charter of privileges. John, bursting into a 
furious passion, refused theii demand. They immediately 
proceeded to open war ; and the king, finding himself deserted 
was compelled to yield. He met his barons at Runny-mede, 
and, after a debate of a fojw days, signed and sealed (1215) 
the famous deed of Magna Charta, or the Great Charter, which 
secured important liberties and privileges to every order of 
men in the kingdom, and which is regarded as the great bul- 
wark of English liberty. John granted, at the same time, tlie 
Charter of the Forest, which aboUshed the exclusive right of 
tlio king to kill game all over the kingdom. 

19. The character of John is represented as more odious 
than that of any other English monarch ; debased by every 
vice, with scarcely a single redeeming virtue. His reign, 
though most unhappy and disastrous, is, notwithstanding, 
memorable as the era of the dawn of English freedom. 

20. Henry III. succeeded to the throne at the age of only 
% ne years, under the guardianship of the Earl of Pembroke. 



ENGLAND. 187 

He was a weak inonarch, timid in danger, presumntuous in 
prosperity, and governed by unworthy favorites. His lot wag 
cast in a turbulent period of English history, and his long reigti 
of 56 years consisted of a series of internal conflicts, though 
it was little disturbed by foreign war. 

21. The incapacity of the king was more productive of in- 
convenience to himself than of misery to his subjects. Undei 
his weak but pacific sway, the cause of popular freedom was 
advanced, and the nation grew more rapidly in wealth 'md 
prosperity than it had done under his military and mor<; re- 
nt >wned pi'edecessors. 

22. Towards the latter part of the reign of Hemv, the 
barons, with Si7non de Montfort^ Earl of Leicester, at their 
head, entered into a confederacy to seize the reins of govern- 
ment ; and they compelled Henry to delegate the regal power 
to 24 of their number. These divided among themselves all 
tlie offices of government, and new-modelled the parliament, 
by summoning a certain number of knights, chosen from each 
county. 

23. This measure proved fatal to the power of the barons ; 
for the knights, indignant at Leicester's usurpation, concerted 
a plan for restoring the king. A civil war ensued. Leicester, 
at the head of a formidable force, defeated the royal army at 
Lewes, and made both the king and his son Edward prisoners. 
He compelled the feeble king to ratify his authority by a 
solemn treaty; assumed the character of regent, and called a 
parliament, summoning two knights from each shire, and depu- 
ties from the principal boroughs (1265). This is regarded as 
the era of the commencement of the House of Commons, being 
the first time that representatives to Parliament were sent from 
the boroughs. 

24. Prince Edward, having at length regained his liberty, 
took the field against Leicester, and defeated him with great 
slaughter, in the famous battle of Evesham. In this battle, 
Leicester himself was killed, and Henry, by the assistance tf 
his son, was again placed on the throne. 

\^ 

25. Edwa-^d L, surnamed Longshanks, from he length of 
his legs, on succeeding to the throne, caused 280 Jews in Lon- 
don to be hanged at once, on a charge of having corrupted 
the coin ; and 15,000 were robbed of their effects, and ban- 
ished from the kingdom. He soon after undertook to subdue 
Wales, and having defeated and slain the sovereign, Princo 
Llewellyn, he annexed the country to the crown of England. 
He created his oldest son Prince of Wales, a title which has 
ever since been borne by the oldest sons of the English mon- 
archs. 



+ 



£88 ENGLAKD. 

26. The conquest of Wales inflamed the ambition of Ed« 
wai'd, and inspired him with the design of extending his do 
minion to the extremity of the island. On the death of 
Alexander III., who left no son, Bruce and Baliol were com 
petitors for the throne of Scotland, and Edward was chosen 
umpire to decide the contest between the two rivals. He ad- 
judged the crown to Baliol, who engaged to hold it as a vassal 
of the King of England. 

27. Baliol, however, soon afterwards reno.mced his allegi- 
ance ; hence arose a war between England and Scotland 
which lasted, with little intermission, upwards of 70 years 
and drenched both kingdoms v/ith blood. Edward invadec 
Scotland with a large army ; defeated the Scots with great 
slaughter in the battle of Dunhar ; subdued the kingdom ; and 
Baliol was carried captive to London. 

28. While Edward was prosecuting a war in France, the 
Scots were roused to exertion, for the recovery of their inde- 
pendence, by their renowned hero, Sir William Wallace ; but, 
after gaining a series of victories, they were at length defeated 
by the King of England, with immense loss, in the battle of 
Falkirk. Wallace became a prisoner of Edward, who put 
him to death with barbarous cruelty. The Scots found a 
second champion and deliverer in Robert Bruce, grandson of 
the competitor of Baliol, v/ho, having expelled the British from 
the country, was raised to the throne of his ancestors. Ed- 
ward prepared to make a new invayion with an immense army, 
but died after having advanced as far as Carlisle. 

29. Edward, v/ho was one of the greatest of the English 
sovereigns, was eminent as a warrior ; and, on account of his 
wisdom as a legislator, he has been styled the English Jus- 
tinian. But he was, in disposition, a tyrant, and, as often aa 
he dared, trampled on the liberties or invaded the property of 
his subjects. He was, however, admired by his contempora- 
ries, and his barons respected the arbitrary sway of a monarch 
as violent and haughty as themselves. His reign was highly 
advantageous to the kingdom, particularly for the improve* 
ments madr in the national code, , and the administration of 
justice He repeatedly ratified Magna Charta, and an impor- 
tant cltiuse was added to secure the people from the imposition 
of any tax without the consent of parliament. Ever since that 
time, there has been a regular succession of English par- 
liaments. 

30. Edioarcl II , surnamed of Caernarvon, from the place 
of his birth, soon after succeeding to the throne, in compliance 
wHh his father's dying injunction, invaded Scotland, with an 



ENGLAND. 189 

army of 100,000 men, which was met at Bannockhurn by 
30,000 Scots, under their king, Robert Btitce (1314). A 
g<-eat battle ensued, in which the English sustained a more 
disastrous defeat than they had experienced since the battle 
of Hastings. 

31. Edward II., who possessed little of the character of hi3 
father, was of a mild disposition, weak, indolent, fond of pleas- 
ure, and governed by unworthy favorites, the most fanious of 
whom were Gai-eston and the two Spencers. His inglorious 
reign was characterized by the corruption of the court, and by 
contests and war between the king and the barons ; and hi.s 
life was rendered unhappy by a series of mortifications and 
misfortunes. 

32. Isabella, his infamous queen, fixed her affections, which 
had long been estranged from her husband, upon Mortimer, a 
powerful young baron ; and she, together with her paramour, 
formed a conspiracy against the king, and compelled him to 
resign the crown to his son. He was then thrown into a prison, 
and afterwards murdered, by order of Mortimer, in a barbarous 
manner. 

33. Ea card III. succeeded to the throne at the age of 14 
years. A council of regency, consisting of 12 persons, waa 
appointed, during the minority of the king; yet Mortimer and 
Isabella, possessed the chief control. But Edward, on coming 
of rge, could not endure the authority of a man who had caused 
the murder of his father, or of a mother stained with the foul- 
est crimes. Mortimer was condemned by parliament, and 
hanged upon a gibbet ; and Isabella was imprisoned foi life at 
Castle Risings, and continued for 28 years a miserable monu- 
ment of blasted ambition. 

34. The king, soon after he was established on the throne, 
made war with the Scots, and defeated them with great slaugh- 
ter in the battle of Halidoion Hill (1333). On the, death of 
Charles IV., he laid claim, in right of his mother, to the crown 
of France, which he al,.empted to gain by force of arms, in 
opposit'on to Phili i of Valois, who was acknowledged by the 
I'^rench nation as the rightful heir. This claim involved the 
two countries in a long and sanguinary war. 

35. After having made his preparations, Edward sailed from 
England with a powerful armament. His fleet, consisting of 
250 sail, encountered that of France, amounting to 400 ships, 
off the coast of Flai\ders, and gained one of the greatest naval 
victories recorded in history. The loss of the English is stated 
at 4,000 men and 2 ships ; that of the French, at 30,000 men 
and 230 ships. 



190 ENGLAND. 

36. Edward then invaded France at the head of 30,000 
troops, and, in the famous battle of Cressy (1346), gained a 
splendid vit-tory over Philip, the French king, who had an armj 
of upwards of 100,000 men, and whose loss exceeded 30,000. 
Tliis battle is noted not only for the greatness of the victory, 
but also for being the first in English history in which cannon 
were made use of, and likewise for being the scene in which 
Edwurd the Black Prince, the king's eldest son, then only 16 
years of age, commenced his brilliant military career. — Ed- 
ward afterwards besieged and took Calais, which remained ii. 
the possession of the English till the time of Queen Mary. 

37. While the English monarch was in France, the Scots 
under their king David, invaded England, and were defeated 
at NevilWs Cross, near Durham, by Philippa, Edward's heroic 
queen, and their king was led prisoner to London. Of tlie 
four generals under the queen, three were prelates. **^4fc 

38. Joim, who succeeded his father in the throne of Frslnce, 
took the field with an army of 60,000 men, against the Black 
Prince, who, with only 16,000 troops, gained a signal victory 
at Poictiers (1356). King John was taken prisoner, and led 
in triumph, by the victorious prince, to London, where he^was 
kept a fellow-captive with Damd of Scotland. 

39. Edward, in the latter part of his reign, sunk into indo- 
lence and indulgence, and experienced a reverse of fortune 
and, before his death, all his conquests, with the exception of 
Calais, were wrested from him. His son, the Black Prince^ 
(so called from the color or covering of his armor,) falling into 
a lingering consumption, was obliged to resign the command 
of the army ; and Charles V. of France, an able sovereign, 
recovered most of the English possessions in that country. 
The death of the Black Prince, illustrious for his amiable vir- 
tues, as well as for his noble and heroic qualities, plunged the 
nation in grief, and broke the spirits of his father, who survived 
him only about a year. 

40. Edward was the most powerful prince of his time in 
Europe ; and, in personal accomplishments, is said to have 
been superior to any of his predecessors. His domestic ad- 
romistration was, in many respects, excellent, and advantageous 
to his subjects. The astonishing victories, which cast so much 
military splendor on his reign, and which are accounted the 
most brilliant in English history, appear to have dazzled the 
eyes both of his subjects and foreigners, who placed him in the 
first rank of conquerors. But his wars with France and Scot- 
land were unjust in their object ; and, after having caused great 
suiTering and devastation, he at last found that the crowns of 
tl'.ose kingdoms w"re beyond his reach. 



en(jLand. 191 

41. In this reign, chivalry was at its zenith in England, and 
in all the virtues which adorned the knightly character in 
courtesy, munificence, and gallantry, in all the delicate and 
magnanimous feelings, none were more conspicuous than Ed- 
ward III. and his son, the Black Prince. Their court was, aa 
it were, the sun of that system, which embraced the valor and 
nobility of the Christian world. 

42. Richard II., the unworthy son of Edward the Black 
Prince, succeeded to the throne, at the age of 11 years. Ho 
was indolent, prodigal, perfidious, and a slave to pleasure. 
Th(^ administration of the government, during the minority of 
the king, was intrusted to his three uncles, the Dukes of Lan- 
caster, York, and Gloucester, whose contests embroiled all the 
public measures. Of these, the Duke of Lancaster, John of 
Gaunt, cr Ghent, (so named from the place of his birth,) was 
the most distinguished, and was possessed of great wealth and 
power ; but he became unpopular, particularly with the cour- 
tiers and clergy ; and he was noted for being (for political rea- 
sons, as is supposed) the protector of Wickliffe, the Reformer, 
whose 'opposition to the tyranny and corruptions of Rome 
commenced in the preceding reign, and gained him many ad- 
lierents. 

43. A poll-tax of three groats, imposed by Parliament upon 
every male and female above the age of 15 years, excited 
universal discontent among the lower classes, on account of 
its injustice in requiring as much of the poor as of the rich. 
One of the brutal tax-gatherers, having demanded payment for 
a blacksmith's daughter, whom the father asserted to be below 
tlie age specified, was proceeding to improper familiarities with 
her, when the enraged father dashed out his brains with a 
hammer. The spectators applauded the action ; a spirit of 
sedition spread through the kingdom ; and 100,000 insurgents, 
under Wat Tyler, were soon assembled upon Blackheath. Biil 
the leader was slain, and his followers were finally compelled 
to submit. 

44 While the kingdom was convulsed with domestic con- 
tests, it was also engaged in hostilities with France and Scot- 
land. At Otterhurji (1388) was fought, between the English 
uudoi Percy (surnamed Hotspur, on account of his fiery tem- 
per) and the Scotch under Douglas, a battle, in which Percy 
was taken prisoner, and Douglas was slain. — On this battle i% 
founded the celebrated ballad of Chevy Chace. 

45. Richard unjustly banished his cousin Henry, the eldes 
son and heir of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster ; and, oc 
iie death of the duke, he seized uDon his estate : but the king 



J92 ENGLAND 

having afterwards undertaken an expedition to Trelnnd, in ord«i 
to quell an insurrection, Henry, the young duke, took advan- 
tage of his absence, returned to England, landed at Raven- 
spur, soon found himself at the head of a numerous army, and 
compelled Richard, on his return, to resign the crown. The 
king being very unpopular, the parliament readily confirmed 
his deposition ; he was then imprisoned, and afterwards iiiur- 
(lered. 

46. The Duke of Lancaster was raised to the throne with 
ilie title of Henry IV. ; though Edmund Mortimei- was the 
Irue heir to the crown, being descended from Lionel., the 3d 
son of Edward III., whereas Henry was the son of John oj 
Gamtt, the 4th son of Edward III. — Hence began contests 
between the houses of York and Lancaster. — During this 
reign and the preceding one, flourished Chaucer, who has 
been styled the Morning Star of English poetry. 



> 



SECTION V. 



Branch of Lancaster. — Henry IV. ; Henry V. ; Henry 
VL — From A. D. 1399 to 146 L 

1. Henry IV., gumamed Bolinghroke, from the place of his 
birth, who succe'^ded to the throne by the deposition and mur- 
der of the lawfu' king, and the exclusion of the rightful heir, 
soon found that the throne of a usurper is but a bed of thorns. 
A combinat'on was immediately formed against nim. The 
Scots under JJouglas, and the Welsh under Owen Glendmoer, 
took part with the rebels ; but their united forces were defeated 
in a most desperate and bloody battle at Shrewsbury, and their 
':eader, Percy [Hotspur], was killed (1403). , 

2. While a subject, Henry was supposed to havei'imbibed 
the reMgious principles of his father, John of Gaun*^, the patron 
of Wickliffe and his followers. But, after he was raised to the 
throne, he made hifj faith yield to his interest i^as he nee, 'led 
the support of the clergy, he procured their favor by endeavor- 
ing to suppress the opinions which his father had supported \ 
and he has the unenviable distinction of having his name re- 
corded in history, as the first English monarch that burnt his 
subjects on account of religion. 

3. Henry was distinguished for his military talents and for 
his political sagacity ; and, had he succeeded to the throne by 
a just title, lie might have been ranked as one of the greatest 
of English monarchs. He had been one of the most popular 



ENGLAND. 193 

rjoblempii in \he kingdom ; yet, although his reijii Ta**, in 
many respects, beneficial to the nation, he became a most un- 
nopuiar sovereign. His peace of mind was destroyed by jeal- 
ousy and by remorse ; he was an ol)ject of" pity even when 
seated on the throne ; and he felt the truth of the language 
which Shakspeare puts into his mouth, — " Uneasy lies tlie 
head that wears a crown." 

4. The laf^er part of his life was imbittered by the extreme 
profligacy of his son Henry, Prince of Wales. One of the 
pi ince's dissolute companions having been indicted befoie tlie 
cliief justice. Sir William Gascoigne^ for some misdemeanor, 
ho was so exasperated at the issue of the trial that he struck 
the judge in open court. The venerable magistrate, mindful 
of the dignity of his office, ordered the prince to be committed 
to prison. Henry quietly submitted, and acknowledged his 
error. 

5. When the circumstance was related to the king, he is 
said to have exclaimed, in a transport of joy, " Happy is the 
king who has a magistrate endowed with courage to execute 
the laws upon such an offender ; still more happy in having a 
son willing to submit to such chastisement ! " 

6. Henry V., on succeeding to the throne, immediately as- 
sembled his former riotous companions ; acquainted them with 
his intended reformation ; forbade their appearance in his pres- 
ence till they should imitate his example ; and dismissed them 
with liberal presents. He commended the chief justice for his 
mipartial conduct, and encouraged him to persevere in a strict 
execution of the laws. This victory, which he gained over 
liimself, is incomparably more honorable to him than the mar- 
tial exploits which have immortalized his name. 

7. The Wicklijfites, or Lollards, were now numerous in 
England, and had for their leader the famous Sir John Old- 
castle, Lord Cohham, a nobleman of distinguished talents, and 
iiigh in favor with the king. But Henry, in matters of religion, 
being under the influence of an intolerant clergy, and particu- 
larly of Archbishop Arundel, gave up to the fury of his ene- 
mies the virtuous and gallant nobleman, who was condemned 
for heresy, hung up by the middle with a chain, and roasted 
alive. 

8. Henry revived the claim to the crown of France, and, 
living advantage of disorders in that kingdom, invaded it 
with an army of about 15,000 men, and defeated the French 
army, amounting to 60,000 men, in the memorable battle of 
Agincourt (1415). The loss of the French amounted to 
11,000 killed, and 14,000 prisoners. Henry afterwaids re« 



194 ENGLAND. 

duced all Normandy, was declared regent of Franca, ard 
acknowledged heir to the crown. But death soon put an end 
to his career of victory. 

9. Henry V. was one of the most heroic of the English 
sovereigns, eminent as a warrior, beloved and adored by mili- 
tary men ; and his short reign is one of the most brilliant in 
English histoiy for military achievement. But his conquests 
were of little benefit to his people. 

10. Henry VI. succeeded to the throne v/hen an infant only 
nine months old, and was proclaimed king both of England 
and France. His education was intrusted to Cardinal Beau- 
fort, bi other of his grandfather, Henry IV. ; and his uncles 
the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester, were appointed pro- 
tectors or guardians of his dominions, the former for Fraace, 
and the latter for England. 

11. Charles VII., the Dauphin of France, being supported by 
the French people, recovered the kingdom by degrees ; and the 
English, being compelled by that extraordinary heroine, Joan 
of Arc, to raise the siege of Orleans, were afterwards stripped of 
all their conquests in that country, except Calais and Guienne. 

12. Henry, on coming of age, proved himself to be mild 
and inoffensive, but totally incapable of managing the reins of 
government : " he would have adorned a cloister, though he 
disgraced a crown." He married Margaret of Anjou, a 
woman whose distinguished talents, ambition, and heroism 
well fitted her to supply the defects of her husband in the wars 
which distracted his i-eign ; but her intriguing disposition and 
cruelty multiplied the number of her enemies. 

13. Discontents prevailing among the people, an insurrec- 
tion broke out, headed by Jack Cade, who assumed the name 
of John Mortimer, and collected an army of 20,000 rebels 
but he was defeated and slain. 

14. The Duke of Gloucester, a favorite of the nation, the 
chief pillar of the house of Lancaster, and presumptive heir 
to the crown [that is, heir in case the king should die without 
i-SSJie], had opposed the marriage of Henry with Margaret. 
From this circumstance, he became odious to the queen, and 
his death soon after took place in a suspicious manner. This 
event, added to the imbecility of the king, encouraged the 
Duke of York to assert his claim to the crown. 

15. The houses of York and Lancaster were both descended 
from Edward III. ; that of York from his third son, and that of 
Lancaster from his fourth : the rightful title was, of course, ou 
the side of the former. Each party was distinguished by a 
particular badge or symbol ; that of the house of York was a 



ENGLAND. 195 

w7iite rose, and that of Lancaster a red one ; nence the civil 
contests were styled the wars of the Two Roses. 

16. This fatal quarrel, which now (1455) broke out into 
open hostilities, lasted 30 years, was signalized by 12 sangui- 
nary pitched battles, and marked by the most unrelenting bar 
barity. During the contest, more than 100,000 of the bravest 
men of the nation, including 80 princes of the blood, fell en 
ths field, or were executed on the scafibld. 

17. In the battles of St. Alhaii's and Northampton, the Lan- 
castrians were defeated, and the king was taken prisoner ; but 
Queen Margaret, having collected a large army, gained the 
battle of Wakefeld (1460), in which the Duke of Yori' wa& 
defeated and slain. But his son and successor, at the head of 
a numerous army, entered London, amidst the shouts of the 
citizens, and was proclaimed king, by the title of Edward IV. 



SECTION VI. 

Branch of York : — Edward IV. ; Edward V. ; Richard 
III — From A. D. 1461 to 1485. 

1. The new king was not permitted to enjoy the crown in 
peace. The heroic Margaret again collected an army of 
60,000 men, which was met by the Yorkists, to the number of 
upwards of 40,000, under the command of Edward and the 
Earl of Warwick. A tremendous battle was fought (1461) at 
Towton, in which Edward obtained a decisive victory, and up- 
wards of 36,000 Englishmen, slain by one another's hands, 
were left dead on the field. — Henry, having been taken pris- 
oner, was confined in the Towei", and there, after being lib- 
erated, and a second time imprisoned, was finally murdered 
(1471), as was supposed, by the Duke of Gloucester, after- 
wards Richard III. 

2. The unfortunate queen, accompanied by her son, a boy 
3\j.ht years old, while flying from her enemies, was benighted 
m Hexham forest, and fell into the hands of ruffians, whc 
stripped her of her jewels, and treated her with great indignity 
After she was liberated from them, being overcome with fa- 
tigue and terror, she sunk in despair ; but was suddenly roused 
by the approach of a robber, with a drawn sword. Seeing no 
way to escape, she rose and presented to him her child : " My 
friend," said she, '■ here is your king's son, whom I commit to 
your protection." The man, pleased with this unexpected con 
fidence reposed in him, aflbrded every assistance in his power 



i96 ewgland 

End condacte'1 the mother aad son, through numerous perils, to 
a small seapoi whence they sailed to Flanders. 

3. The. Hous - '..'5 Vork had been hitherto supported by the 
important assistance of Nevil, Earl of Wanvick, the most 
powerful baron in England, and the greatest general of his 
tiine. But Edward having given offence to his benefactor, 
VVarwick was induced to abandon him, and to support the Lan- 
castrians. By his exertions, Edward was deposed, and Henry, 
after having been a prisoner six years in the Tower, was re' 
leased, and again proclaimed king. Thus Warwick, having 
restored Henry, whom he had deposed, and pulled down Ed- 
ward, whom he had placed on the throne, oKtained the title of 
king-maker. 

4. But in the bloody battle of Barnet., £.. ,vard prevailed, 
and the brave Warwick was slain. The intrepid Margaret, 
having returned to England, made a last effort for the crown, 
in the desperate battle of Tewkesbury (1471), which proved 
fatal to her hopes. Her son was slain, and she herself was 
taken prisoner ; but was afterwards ransomed by the King of 
France, and in that country she passed the remainder of her 
life in obscurity and neglect. 

5. Edward, being now secured on the throne, gave himself 
up to unrestrained indulgence in acts of tyranny, cruelty, and 
debauchery. His brother, the Duke of Clarence., who had as- 
sisted him in gaining the crown, he caused, with the concur- 
rence of his other brother, the Duke of Gloucester, to be 
impeached ana condemned ; and he is said to have been 
drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine. — Edward was possessed 
of talants, and was reputed the handsomest and most accom- 
plished'! can of his time in England. The love of pleasure 
was his r iling passion. " His character," says an elegant 
writer, " is easily summed up : — his good qualities were cour- 
age and beauty ; his bad qualities, every vice." — It was in 
this reign that the art of printing was introduced (1471) into 
England by William Caxton. 

6. Edward IV. left two sons, the eldest of whom c<e:ng only 
13 years of age, was proclaimed king, by the title of Edward 
V. Richard, Duke of Gloucester, brother to Edward IV., 
being appointed protector, caused Lord Hastings, and other 
distinguished persons, to be executed without trial ; seized the 
crown, on the pretence that his nephew, Edward V., and his 
brother, the Duke of York, were illegitimate ; and procured 
himself to be proclaimed king, by the title of Richard III. 
Afte'" two months, the young princes disappeared, and are said 
to have beer smothered in the Tower, by order of Richard. 



ENGLAND. IQ'i 

7. The multiplied and detestable crimes of Richard III. 
who waded to the throne through the blood of his nearest re 
lations, found an avenger in the Earl oj Richmond, the only 
surviving heir of the house of Lancaster. The armies of the 
two rivals met at Bosworth (1485), where a desperate battle 
was fought, which, by reason of Lord. Stanley'' s going o\er to 
Richmond, proved fatal to Richard, who was defeated and 
slain ; and his rival was crowned on the field by the title of 
Henry VII. This battle terminated the long and bloody con- 
flicts between the two houses of York and Lancaster, which 
had reduced the kingdom to a state of almost savage barbarity , 
laws, arts, and commerce being entirely neglected for the piac« 
tice of arms. 

8. Richard, who was a man of talents and courage, could 
conceal the most bloody projects under the mask of affection 
and friendship ; and his insatiable ambition led him to perpe- 
trate the most atrocious crimes. He had a harsh and disa- 
greeable coimtenance, was crook backed, splay-footed, and 
had his left arm withered ; so that ^Jie deformity of his body 
corresponded to that of his mind. 



>< 



SECTION VII. 



The Tudor Family : — Henry VII. ; Henry VIII. ; Edwai d 
VI. ; Mary ; Elizabeth. — From A. D. 1485 to 1603. 

1. The hereditary right of Henry VII. to the crown was 
very defective ; but he strengthened his claim by marrying 
Elizabeth, daughter of Edward IV. ; and in this way the two 
houses of York and Lancaster were united. Henry was the 
son of Margaret, great-granddaughter of Jchn of Gaunt, and 
Df Ed^nund Tudor. The sovereigns of the house of Tudor 
were arbitrary in their principles and character ; but their 
reign, though disturbed by conflicts, both domestic and foreign, 
was, notwithstanding, less convulsed by war than that of any 
other family of English kings. 

2. The policy of Henry was pacific, and his reign was com- 
paratively tranquil ; yet it was disturbed by several plots and 
conspiiacies, two of which were of a singular character. One 
of these was the' attempt of Lambert Simnel, the son of a 
baker, to counterfeit the person of the Earl of Warwick ; the 
other was a similar attempt of Perkin Warbeck to counterfeit 
the Duke of York, who is said to have been smothered in the 
Tower, bj' the order of Richard III. By the earlier English 

17* 



198 ENGLAND 

historians, Warbeck is uniformly represented to have been ai| 
impostor, but several later writers maintain that he was the 
real son of Edv/ard IV. 

3. Both of the adventurers aspired to the crown, and. met 
with considerable support from the people. Simnel, after 
being proclaimed King of England and Ireland, at Dublin, wag 
iaken prisoner, and, instead of being executed, was made a 
scullion in the king's kitchen, and afterwards promoted to be 
falconer. Perkin Warbeck, who maintained his cause by force 
of arms for five years, was supported by many of the nobility, 
a/"l acknowledged by the Kings of France and Scotland ; but, 
b ;ing at last taken prisoner, he was executed as a traitor ; and 
n jar the same time, the real Earl of Warwick^ the son of the 
Duke of Clarence, and nephew of Edward IV., the last malo 
of the PUmtagenets, who had been imprisoned from his child ■ 
hood, for no other crime than his birth, was condemned and 
executed on a charge of treason. 

4. Henry VII. was more deficient in the feelings of the 
heart than in the qualities of the mind ; and, though much re- 
spected, was little beloved. He was wholly devoted to busi- 
ness ; prudent and sagacious ; little susceptible of the social 
and generous affections ; serious and reserved in his manners, 
suspicious in his temper, despotic in his government, and ava- 
ricious in his disposition, — the love of money being his ruling 
passion. He was capable of descending to the meanest aiti- 
fices, and of employing the most unprincipled agents in extort- 
ing money from his subjects, to fill his own coffers. Empson 
and Dudley, two lawyers, gained an infamous notoriety as in- 
struments of his rapacity and oppression. By his frugality 
and arbitrary exactions, he accumulated immense wealth, and 
is said to have left, at his death, in ready money, the sum 
of ,£1,800,000, — an enormous amount of specie for that 
age, equivalent to ,£10,000,000, or, according to some, to 
£16,000,000, at present. 

5. His reign was prosperous at home, and respected abroad • 
and, though not a popular sovereign, he was, perhaps, next to 
Alfred, the most useful prince that had hitherto sat on the. 
throne of England. He enacted many wise and salutary laws, 
promoted industry ; encouraged commerce ; reduced to sub« 
ordination a factious and insolent aristocracy ; and taught the 
|>eaceful arts of civilized life to a warlike and turbulent people. 

6. By permitting the nobles to alienate their lands, he 
weakened thei^' power, raised the respectability of the lower 
orders, and gave a mortal wound to the feudal system. He 
expended £14,000 in building one ship, named " the Great 
Harry.'' which may be considered as the beginning of the 



ENGLAND 199 

English navv : inasmuch as the government, before this pe- 
riod, had no other mode of raising a fleet than by hiring or 
pressing the vessels of merchants. 

7. No monarch ever succeeded to the throne of England 
with brighter prospects than Henry VIIL (1509.) Uniting in 
his person the claims of the two houses of York and Lancaster, 
his title was undisputed : the treasury was well stored, the na- 
tion at peace, and the state of the cour.itry prosperous. ITe 
was 18 years of age, of beautiful person, accomplished man- 
ners, frank and open in his disposition, possessed of consider- 
able learning, and fine talents ; and was regarded by th3 
people with affection and high expectations. 

8. But these fond expectations were wofully disappointed. 
As the character of the king developed itself, he was found to 
be destitute both of wisdom and virtue, and proved himself an 
unprincipled and cruel tyrant, rapacious and prodigal, obstinate 
and capricious, fickle in his friendships, and merciless in hia 
resentments, and capable of sending a minister or a wife to 
the scaffold, with as little feeling or compunction as he would 
have shown in ordering a dog to be drowned. " If all the pic- 
tures and patterns of a merciless prince," says Sir Walter 
Raleigh, " were lost in the world, they might all again be 
painted to the life out of the story of this king." 

9. His government was but little short of a despotism ; and 
one of the greatest wonders respecting it is the degrading ser- 
vility of the people and parliament in tamely submitting to his 
tyranny, or becoming the passive instruments of its exercise. 
He chose for his ministers men of eminent talents ; but he 
made them feel the effects of his caprice and cruelty. Arch- 
bishop Cranvier was almost the only one of great distinction 
among them, who had the good fortune to retain, to the last, 
his confidence and regard. 

10. By his profusion and expensive pleasures he soon ex- 
hausted the treasures which he inherited from his father. 
Though his militaiy operations were not numerous, yet, in 
the early part of his reign, he made war against Louis Xll 
of France, invaded the country, and, at Guinegast^ gained the 
battle of the Spurs (so named from the rapid flight of the 
French) ; and his general, the Earl of Surrey, gained a bloody 
victory over the Scots, at Flodden, where James IV., and a 
great part of his nobility, were slain. Henry was also, in 
some degree, involved in the wars of the two great rivals of 
the age, Charles V. of Germany, and Francis I. of France. 

11. Before he arrived at the age of 30, he wrote a book on 
the Seven Sacraments, against Luther, the reformer, which 
pi' ease i tJie pope so much that he conferred on him the title of 



200 ENGLAND 

" Defender of the Faith," a title which his successors hare 
ever since retained. 

12. But the most memorable transactions of Flenry's reign 
were his matrimonial alliances, and the consequences which 
flowed from them. His first wife was Catharine of Arragon, 
widow of his elder brother Art.Imr, daughter of Ferdinand of 
Spain and aunt of Charles V. He had been contracted to her, 
at a very early age, by the influence of his father : and, aft(;r 
having lived Avith her about 18 years, he professed to feel con- 
scientious scruples respecting the lawfulness of the man iage, 
on account of her having been the wife of his brother ; and, 
conceiving a passion for the beautiful and accomplished Anne 
Boleyn, he applied to the pope for a divorce. 

13. Having experienced various delays, and imagining that 
his favorite minister, the celebrated Cardinal Wolsey, was the 
chief obstacle in the way of eflecting his object, the king re- 
solved on his ruin, and ordered him to be arrested for high 
treason. But the haughty cardinal soon after fell sick and 
died, having exclaimed, in the pangs of remorse, " Had I but 
served God as diligently as I have served the king, he v/ould 
not have given me over in my gray hairs ! " 

14. The opinions of various universities, favorable to Hen- 
ry's views, having been obtained, and the pope failing to grant 
the divorce, the king caused a court to be held, under Cramner, 
which pronounced his marriage invalid ; and Lady Anne was 
soon after crowned queen. The papal jurisdiction in England 
was immediately abolished (1534) ; the monasteries suppressed ; 
some alterations made in the doctrines and forms of I'eligion ; 
and the king was declared the Supreme Head of the English 
Church. 

15. The separation of England from the Church of Rome 
was thus begun by the passions of a prince, who meant nothing 
in the world less than the Reformation of religion, which was 
the consequence of it ; and who was a most unworthy instru- 
ment of a most important event. Though Henry ceased to be 
a Roman Catholic, he was far from being a Protestant. He 
abrogated infallibility to himself, and caused the law of the Six 
AHides of religion, termed the " bloody statute," to be enact- 
ed, and condemned to death both Catholics and Protestants who 
ventured to maintain opinions in opposition to his own. The 
venerable Bishop Fisher and the celebrated Sir Thomas More^ 
two conscientious Catholics, were beheaded for refusing to ac- 
knowledge his supremacy. 

16. In less than three years after his new marriage, he 
caused Anne Boleyn to be condemned and beheaded, in ordet 
to gratify a new passion for Jane Seymour, whom he mairied 



ENGLAND. 201 

the day after the execution, and who died soon after gifing 
birth to Prince Edward. He next married Anne of Cleves^ 
but soon discarded her, because he did not find her so hand- 
some as she had been represented ; and Thomas CroimoelL 
Earl of Essex, his prime minister, having been instrumental 
in bringing about this joyless mai'riage, lost the favor of his 
sovereign, and suffered death on the scaffold. Calliarine 
Hoioard, whom he next married, was condemned and exe- 
cuted for adultery. But Catharine Parr, his 6th wife, had fho 
good fortdUt to survive him. 

17. Henry VIII. left three children, Mary, daughter of 
Catharine of Arragon, Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn 
and Edward, son of Jane Seymour. The last succeeded him, 
with the title of Edicard VI., in his 10th year, JCdward Sey- 
mour, Duke of Somerset, uncle of the young king, being ap- 
pointed protector; and, after his fall, the Duke of Northum- 
berland was raised to the same office. Edward's short reign 
was distracted by contests between those to whom the direction 
of public affairs was intrusted ; but the Protestant influence 
prevailed in the government, the cause of the Reformation was 
promoted, and the reformed liturgy was modelled under the 
direction of Cranmer ; yet a great part of the people were stiL 
attached to the Catholic faith. 

18. Edward, a prince of great hopes and virtues, died ir, 
his 16th year, deeply lamented. So different was his charac 
ter from that of his father, that he is said never to have signed 
an order for an execution against any person without shedding 
tears. Just before his death, he had been prevailed upon, by 
the interested influence and intrigues of the Duke of Northum- 
berland, the protector, to set aside his sisters, Mary and Eliza- 
beth, and bequeathe the crown to Jane Grey, great-grand- 
daughter of Henry VII., who was married to Lord Guilford 
Dudley, a son of the protector. 

19. Notwithstanding the attempt to alter the succession, 
Mary, who was educated a strict Catholic, was acknowledged 
the rightful heir, and succeeded to the throne (1553) ; and the 
Catholic religion was again restored. Her short reign is noted 
for the cruel persecution of the English Reformers ; and her 
character is painted by Protestant writers in the darkest colorts ; 
but it may be remarked, by way of apology for her, that the 
treatment which both she and her mother had received from 
those who rejected the papal supremacy was calculated to in- 
flame her prejudices ; that she was under the influence of evi, 
couisellors- and that she lived in an age when the principles 



202 ENGLAND. 

of religious toleration were not understood or practised by 
cither Catholics or Protestants. 

20. Immediately after the death of Edward, Jane Grey, who 
had been appointed successor, by the intrigues of her friends, 
was proclaimed queen by her adherents ; but after wearing the 
crown ten days, she resigned it, and would gladly have re- 
turned 1o private life. The youth and innocence of herbelf 
and her husband (neither of them exceeding their 17th year) 
pleaded strongly in their favor; yet they were condemned and 
beheaded, as also were their principal supporters. 

21. Lady Jane, who is described as a young woman of sin- 
gular virtues and accomplishments, sent, on the day of her 
execution, a message to her husband, who desired to see her, 
informing him that the tenderness of their last interview would 
be too much for her to bear. " Tell him," added she, " that 
our separation will be only for a moment. We shall soon 
meet each other in a place where our affections shall be for 
ever united, and where misfortunes will never more disturb our 
eternal felicity." 

22. A cruel persecution was now commenced against the 
Reformers ; the men who had been most forward in establish- 
ing the Protestant religion in England, were singled out for 
punishment ; and among the most eminent martyrs who were 
burnt at Smithfield (1555), were Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley^ 
Hooper, Ferrar, and Rogers. By the cruelty of these pro- 
ceedings, the feelmgs of the people were shocked ; the excel- 
lent character of most of the sufferers, and the undaunted 
spirit which they exhibited, produced a strong sensation in 
their favor, and diminished the influence of the Church of 
Rome ; so that these barbarities tended to forward, rather than 
to check, the progress of the Reformalion. 

23. Mary, in the second year after she succeeded to the 
throne, was married to Philip II. of Spain, — a union unpopular 
with her subjects, and productive of little happiness to herself, 
and, in the last year of her reign, the French took Calais, 
which had been in possession of the English 210 years. Soon 
after this event, the queen died, feeling bitter vexation for the 
loss, and for being aware that ghe was an object of aversic n to 
her husband and to a great part of her subjects. She left few 
to lament her, and there was scarcely the semblance of sorrow 
for her death. 

24. The accession of Elizahetli to the throne, in 1558, was 
hailed by the nation with joyful acclamations. She had a long 
and auspicious reign, during which tranquillity was maintained 
in her dominions, while the neighboring nations were convulsee 



ENGLAND. 203 

mth dissensions ; and England rose, from the rank of a secori- 
dary kingdom, to a level with the first states of Europe. The 
Protestant religion was again restored and protected ; the 
Church of England was established in its present form ; and 
I lie nation attamed a higher state of prosperity than it had ever 
before known, in agriculture, commerce, arts, and literature. 
This reign, which some have considered as the Augustan age 
of English literature, was illustrated by the great names of 
Hooker, Bacon, Spenser, and Shakspeare. 

25. A remarkable circumstance in this period of Engl).sh 
history relates to the repeated and sudden changes with respect 
in religion, in accordance with the views of the sovereign and 
tiie court. Many, who bad been Protestants under Edward, 
became persecuting Itomanists under Mary ; and, under Eliza- 
beth, they were again transformed into zealous promoters of 
the Reformation. Religion, it would seem, hung so loose upon 
a great part, that they were equally ready to conform to the 
Church of Rome or to Prolestanism, as might best suit their tem- 
poral interests. Of 9,000 beneficed clergymen, the number 
01 those who preferred, on the accession of Elizabeth, to quit 
their preferments rather than the Roman Catholic Church, waa 
less than 200. 

26. Elizabeth is charged with treachery and cruelty in her 
treatment of Mary, Queen of Scots, a woman whose extraor- 
dinary beauty and misfortunes seem, in the minds of many, 
to have thrown a veil over all the defects of her character. 
Mary was great grand-daughter of Henry VII., and next heir 
to Elizabeth to the throne of England. She had been educa 
ted in France as a Catholic, and married, when very young, to 
the dauphin, afterwards Francis II. She had been persuaded, 
iniprudently, to assume the title of Queen of England, — a 
circumstance which proved fatal to her peace. 

27. On the death of Francis, she returned to Scotland, at 
the age of 18 yeai's. At this period the Reformation, by the 
zealous labors of John Knox, had made great progress in that 
country ; and the people regarded their Catholic r;ueen with 
abhorrence, and looked to her enemy Elizabeth for support. 

28. Mary married, for her second husband, her cousin Hem y 
Stuart {Lord Darnley), who soon became disagreeable to her, 
and was, in less than two years, murdered : in about three 
months after this tragical event, she married (1567) the Earl of 
Bothwell, who was stigmatized as the murderer of Darnley. 
Her conduct excited against her the whole kingdom of Scotland, 
Public indignation could no longer be restrained. The nobles 
rose against her and her husband, Bothwell : she was taken, con- 
fined in the castle of Lochleven and was at length compelled 



204 -. ENGLAND. 



to resign the crown to her infant son, who was proc. aimed 
Jaines FI. ; and her illegitimate brother, the Earl oj Murray, 
a friend to the Reformation, was appointed regent during the 
young king's minority. 

29. In less than a year, Mary, by the assistance of friends, 
effected her escape from Lochleven Castle, and fled into Eng- 
land, hoping to secure the favor of her rival, Elizabeth, hi 
this, however, she was disappointed. After being kept as a 
prisoner more than 18 years in Fotheringay Castle, she was 
tried on an accusation of having been accessory to a conspii icy 
against the Queen of England, was condemned, and beheaded 
in one of the rooms of her prison, in the 45lh year of her age. 

30. Elizabeth warmly espoused the cause of the Nether- 
lands, in their revolt against the authority of Philip II. of 
Spain ; and her admiral, Sir Francis Drake, had taken some 
of the Spanish possessions in South America. To avenge 
these offences, and to subjugate the leading Protestant power, 
the Spanish " Imincihle Armada,'''' a more formidable fleet 
than Europe had ever before witnessed, was fitted out for the 
invasion of England. - 

31. This armament consisted of 150 ships, 3,000 pieces of 
cannon, and 27,000 men. It entered the English Channel in 
the form of a crescent, extending its two extremities to the dis 
tance of seven miles. It was met by the English fleet, con- 
sisting of 108 ships, commanded by those distinguished mari- 
time chiefs, Howard, Drake, Hawkins, Frobisher, and Raleigh. 
Being gradually weakened, and finally overtaken by a storm, « 
it suffered an entire defeat. Only 50 vessels, with 6,000 men, > 
returned to Spain. "^ 

32. The age of Elizabeth was fruitful in men of talents, end 
she was assisted in her government by eminent statesmen, 
among whom were Bacon, Burleigh, and Walsingham, men 
wholly devoted to the interests of the nation. But her chief 
personal favorites were unworthy. Of these, in the early part 
of her reign, the principal was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leices- 
ter: after his death, Robert Deoereux, Earl of Essex, ^jonwg 
nobleman of accomplishments, talents, and high spirit, pos- 
sessed the first place in her alTections. The queen and Essex 
had many quarrels and reconciliations ; at last, he broke into 
open rebellion, was convicted of treason, and beheaded. 

33. Elizabeth, who had surprised th® nations of Europe by 
the splendor of her course, was destined to close the evening 
of her life in gloom and sorrow. Some ascribe the deep de- 
pression and mental suffering which she, at this period, en- 
dured, to the neglect which she imagined she experienced on 
account of her age and infirmities, when, to use her own ex 



ENGLAND. 205 

pression, " men would turn their backs on the setting, ^o wor* 
ship the rising, sun " ; others to the revival of her regret for 
the death of Essex, whom she had given up for his mvincible 
obstinacy, but who, she now discovered, had actually thrown 
himself upon her clemency, while his enemies had found 
means to conceal his application. The Countess of Notting- 
ham, now upon her death-bed (according to various historians), 
sent for tlie queen, to confess to her that Essex, while under 
the sentence of death, had desired her to convey to Elizabeth 
a, ring which she had given him, with the assurance that the 
sight of it would at anj'- time recall her tenderness ; but that 
she had neglected to deliver it. The queen, in a frenzy of 
passion, shook the dying countess, exclaiming, " God may lor- 
give you, but I never can! '' From that moment she sunk into 
a deep melancholy, rejected all sustenance, and died (1603) ir 
profound grief, in the 45th year of her reign, and the 70th of 
her age. 

34. Elizabeth was distinguished for her learning, and spoke 
fluently Greek, Latin, French, and Spanish. She possessed 
extraordinary talents for government, was great as a public 
character, and commanded the high respect of her subjects 
and of foreign nations. Her three leading maxims of policy 
were, to secure the affections of her subjects, to be frugal of 
her treasures, and to excite dissensions among her enemies. 
She manifested less regard for the liberty, than for the pros- 
perity, of the people. In the former part of her reign, she was 
comparatively moderate and humble, but afterwards haughty 
and severe. Both her disposition and her principles were des 
potic. With regard to religion, she persecuted both Catholics 
and Puritans; but, like her father, she had a leaning towaids 
Rome in almost everything except the doctrine of papal 
supremacy. 

35. Her private character is less to be admired, being tar- 
niirhed with insincerity and cruelty, and destitute of the mildei 
nnd softer virtues of her sex. Her manners were haughty and 
overoearing, and her conversation grossly profane. Vain of 
her beauty, which she only could discover ; delighted with the 
praise of her charms, even at the age of 65 ; jealous of every 
female competitor, to a degree which the youngest and silliest 
of her sex might despise ; and subject to sallies of anger which 
no sense of dignity could restrain, — she furnishes a remarkabk 
instance of great rtioral weaknesses united with high intelJec 

lual superiority. \,jf^ 

18 ^^ 



206 ENGLAND. 



SECTION VIII. 



X 



The Stcjart Family: — James I. ; Charles I.: — The Com> 
monwealth ; Cromwell : — Charles II. ; James II. , William 
and Mary ; Anne. — From A. D. 1603 to 1714, 

1. Elizabeth, on the approach of death, nominated for her 
vuccessor the son of her rival Mary, James VI. of Scotland, 
«vho was the rightful heir by descent. He took the title of 
James I. of England ; and in him the two crowns were united. 
iJe was the firsc of the Stuarts, a family whose reign was one 
continued struggle for power between the monarch and the 
people ; and who were characterized by despotic principles, 
injudicious conduct, and such a want of gratitude and good 
faith as to be proverbial for leaving their friends in distress. 

2. James had scarcely arrived in England, when a conspir- 
acy was discovered for subverting the government, and placing 
on the throne his cousin, Arabella Stuart. The celebrated 
Sir Walter Raleigh, who had been distinguished in the pre- 
ceding reign, was sentenced to death on an accusation of being 
connected in this plot. He was, however, reprieved, cast hito 
prison, and, 15 years after his condemnation, was, at the insti- 
gation of the king, barbarously beheaded. 

3. Another conspiracy followed, of a more daring nature. 
This was the famous Gunpowder Plot, a design of some des- 
perate Catholics to blow up the Parliament-house, and involve 
in one common destruction the king, lords, and commons. 
Just on the eve of its accomplishment, the plot was discovered, 
and Gruy Fawkes was taken, having matches for firing the 
magazine in his pocket. 

4. It was the characteristic weakness of James to attach 
himself to worthless favorites ; such were Carre, Earl of SoM' 
ef-set, and Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, — men on whom he 
bestowed his favors wilh the utmost prodigality, though they 
were of profligate character, odious to the people, and wore 
possessed of no merit, except c.^+ernal beauty and superficial 
accomplishments. 

5. During the reign of Mary, the Puritans first made ihcir 
appearance ; and in the time of Elizabeth they became, in a 
considerable degree, conspicuous. They were strenuous ad- 
vocates for freedom in the state, and a more thorough reforma- 
tion in religion. At the accession of James, they cherished 
high hopes that their views would meet with more favor tliau 
during the reign of the late queen, inasmuch as he had been 
edacated in Presbyterianism , but, of all persons, they were tha 



ENGLAND 20"> 

most disappointed. So great was their dissatisfaction, thai 
some of them sought refuge, from their restraints and persecu 
tions, in the wiids of America, and commenced (1620) the 
settlement of New England. 

6. The leading characteristic of James was his love of ar- 
bitrary power. The divine right of kings to govern their sub 
jects without control was his favorite topic in conversation, and 
in his speeches to parliament. The best part of his character 
was his pacific disposition ; and his reign, which lasted 22 
years, though ignoble to himself, was, in n^iofy respects, happy 
to his people, who were enriched by peace and commerce. 

7. In his private character, his morals were far from being 
pure. He possessed considerable ingenuity, and a good deal 
of learning, but more pedantry. He blended a childish and 
degrading familiarity so incongruously with a ridiculous vanity, 
insufferable aiTogance, and a vulgar stateliness, that he reminds 
us more of some mock king in a farce, than a real one on the 
tlieatre of history. He was excessively fond of flatter)', which 
was dealt out to him with an unsparing hand by his bishops and 
parasites, who styled him the British Solomon ; yet, in the 
opinion of less interested observers, he merited the appellation 
given him by the Duke of Sully, that of " the Avisest fool in 
Europe." " He was," says Bishop Burnet, " the scorn of the 
age, a mere pedant, without true judgment, courage, or steadi- 
ness, his reign being a continued course of mean practices." 

8. The increase of commerce, and consequent influx of 
wealth ; the diffusion of information ; the little respect cher- 
ished for the pei'sonal character of the king ; the disappointed 
hopes of the Puritans, the multiplication of their numbers, the 
controversies in which they were engaged, and the privations 
to which they were subjected, — all conspired to diffuse widely 
the spirit of liberty. The current of public opinion was now 
strongly turned to an extension of the rights of the people, 
nnd to a retrenchment of the power of the sovereign; and, 
during this reign, the seeds were sown of that spirit of ies\*l- 
ance to despotic power, on the part of the people, which, iu 
the next, produced a subversion of the monarchy. 

9. Charles I. ascended the throne (1655) in his 25th year, 
under favorable circumstances : his title was undisputed, and 
the kingdom was in a flourishing condition. But within the 
last fifty years, public opinion in the nation had undergone a 
great change, and many of his subjects were extremely jealous 
of their civil and religious liberties, and would no longer be 
governed by precedents which had their oi'igin in times of ig- 
oof'.mce and slavery. He soon gave pi'oof that he inherited 



208 ENGLAND. 

the same arbitrary principles witn ms father, and ttie same 
worthless favorite, Buckingham^ retained his nfluence and 
authority. — He married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry 
IV. of France, who was a zealous Papist, and whose influence 
over the king is regarded as one of the principal causes of his 
calamities. 

10. In the latter part of th(5 reign of James, Charles, ac- 
companied by Buckingham, had visited the court of Madrid, 
sn order to solicit the hand of the Infanta in marriage. The 
n( gotiation, however, failed through the misconduct of Buck- 
ingham, and England was involved in a war with Spain. Soon 
after Chai'les ascended the throne, he was offended with the 
Parliament for refusing to grant him sufficient supplies in 
carrying on this war, and for resisting his arbitrary designs ; 
and, having adopted the resolution to rule without their aid-, 
he proceeded to levy money, in various ways, independent of 
their authority. 

11. One of these methods v/as by a tax on merchandise, 
called tonnage and poundage, and another by a tax called skip- 
money. The money raised by the latter was now levied, not 
only on seaport towns, but over the whole kingdom ; and 
Charles claimed the right to command his subjects, without an 
act of parliament, to provide and furnish ships, together with 
men, victuals, and ammunition, in such numbers, and at what- 
ever time, he should think proper, — a claim which struck at 
the vital principle of a free government. This assessment of 
ship-money is the famous tax which first roused the whole na- 
tion, at length, to fix and determine, after a long continuance 
of an unsettled constitution, the bounds of their own freedom, 
and the king's prerogative. 

12. A noble stand was made against the payment of this 
imposition by John Hampden, a man who, on account of his 
high character for talents, integrity, and patriotism, possessed 
the greatest influence in parliament, and in the nation. But, 
although the venal judges decided the cause against him, yet 
he obia ned the end for which he sacrificed his quiet and his 
safety. The people, believing that the decision was unjust, 
were roused from their lethargy, and became fully sensible of 
the danger to which their liberties were exposed. 

13. The Duke of Buckingham having been assassinated by 
Felton, an Irish fanatic, the Earl of Strafford, the most able 
and devoted champion of the claims of the crown, and the 
most formidable enemy of the liberties of the people, became 
the chief counsellor of the king, and Archhishop Laud had 
the principal influence m ecclesiastical affaii's. The current 
of the public sentiment was now running strongly towards 



FNGLAND '20^ 

Pitrifanism, in favor of a simpler form of worship. But Laud, 
=0 far from countenancing this tendency, had overloaded the 
church with new ceremonies, which were disgusting to the 
people, and which he enforced with the most intolerant zeal. 

14. Not satisfied with attempting to enforce conformity in 
England, the king undertook to establish episcopacy in Scot 
land also, and to impose the use of the English liturgy upon 
the national church. This measure excited a strong sensation 
among all ranks, from the peer to the peasant : even the 
women were not backward in manifesting opposition. In one 
of the churches of Edinburgh, on the day when the intrc(iuc" 
tion of the liturgy was first attempted, no sooner had the ser- 
vice ')egun, than an old woman, impelled by sudden indignation, 
started up, and exclaiming aloud against the supposed mass, 
threw the stool, on which she had been sitting, at the preacher's 
head. The assembly was instantly in confusion, nor could the 
minister finish the service. The people from without burst 
open the doors, broke the windows, and rent the air with ex- 
clamations of " A pope ! an antichrist ! stone him, stone him ! " 

15. The prelates were equally unsuccessful, in most in- 
stances, throughout Scotland, in enforcing the liturgy. The 
National Coverumt, which was first framed at the Reformation, 
and which renounced episcopacy as well as popery, was re- 
newed, and subscribed by all ranks ; and afterwards a new 
bond, of similar purport, bat still more determined and hostile 
in its spirit, styled the Solemn League and Covenant, was 
formed and signed by many in England as well as in Scotland, 
who combined together for their mutual defence. 

16. After eleven years' intermission, the king found it neces- 
sary, in 1640, to convoke a Parliament ; but the House of 
Commons, instead of listening to his demands for supplies, be 
gan with presenting the public grievances, under three heads ; 
those of the broken privileges of parliament, of illegal taxes, 
and of violence done to the cause of reagion. Charles, per- 
ceiving he had nothing favorable to hope fiom their delibera- 
tions, soon dissolved the assembly. By anoiher parliament, 
which was not long afterwards assembled, Strafford and Land 
were sent to the Tower on several charges of endeavoring to 
subvert the constitution, and to introduce arbitrary power. 
Strafford was brought to trial on a charge of treason, and was 
condemned and beheaded ; and, five years afterwards. Laud 
suffered the same fate. 

17. Charles had, in 1629, violated the privileges of parlia 
ment, by causing nine members to be imprisoned for the part 
A'hich they had "taken in debate ; but he was now betrayed 
oito a still greater indiscretion, which contributed much to 

18* 



210 ENGLAND 

wards kindling the flame of civil war. This was tfte impeach 
ment of Lord Kifiibolton, and five distinguished commoners 
Pym, Hampden, HoUis, HazJerig, and Strode ; and his going 
himself to the House to seize them, leaving 200 armed men at 
the door Having entered the House, he ordered the speaker, 
Lenthal, to point them out. " Sir," answered the speaker 
falling o\ his knees, " I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue 
to speak in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me, 
whose servant I am ; and I humbly ask pardon that I can no* 
give Eiiy othej- answer to what your majesty is pleased to de- 
mand of me." 

18. The king withdrew without effecting his object, amidst 
low but distinct murmurs of " Privilege, privilege." This ill- 
advised and abortive attempt, which was condemned both by 
his friends and enemies, completed the degradation of the un- 
fortunate monarch. He afterwards apologized to parliament 
for this conduct, but the day of reconciliation was past ; he 
had lost the confidence of that body, and they were now pre- 
pared not only to confine his power within legal bounds, but to 
strip him of his constitutional authority. 

19. Both parties resolved to stake the issue of the contest 
on the sword ; and the standard of civil war was now (1642) 
erected. The cause of the king was supported by three fourths 
of the nobility and superior gentry, by the bishops and advo- 
cates of episcopacy, and by the Catholics ; that of the parlia- 
ment by the yeomanry of the country, the merchants and 
tradesmen in the towns, — by the Puritans, or opponents of epis- 
copacy, comprising the Presbyterians, Independents, and other 
dissenters. The supporters of the king were styled Cavaliers ; 
those of the parliament, Roundheads, — an appellation given to 
them by their adversaries, because many of them cropped 
•.heir hair short, 

20. A religious spirit, unfortunately tinctured with fanat- 
icism, extravagance, and party feeling, was at this period 
widely diffijsed throughout Great Britain, and it formed a 
prominent characteristic of most of the leaders in parliament, 
and also of those who took up arms in defence of their liber- 
ties. The charge of license and excess fell chiefly on the 
r.')yalists, a great part of whom were men of pleasure, disposed 
to deride the sanctity and austere morality of their opponents. 
*' All the sober men that I was acquainted with, who were 
against the parliament," says the celebrated Richard Baxter, 
" used to say, ' The king had the better cause, but the parlia- 
ment had the better men.' " 

21. England had been, comparatively, but little engaged in 
war since the accession of Henry VH., and it had but few 



ENGLAND. SI I 

men of militaiiy experience. The chief commanders ia the 
royal army, besides the king, were the Earl of Lmdsey^ 
Prince Rupert, and Sir Jacob Astley ; and, in the parhamen- 
tary army, the Earl of Essex had the chief command at first, 
then Lord Fairfax, and afterwards Oliver Croimoell. In the 
early part of the contest, each side lost one of their greatest 
and best men ; Hampden on the part of the parliament, and 
Lord Falkland on that of the king. In the battles of Edge* 
hill (1642), and Newbury (1648), the royalists had the advan- 
tage ; but in those of Marston Moor ( 1643), and Naseby ( 1645), 
tlioy wore entirely defeated. 

22. After the war had raged nearly five years, the king fell 
into the hands of his enemies, who held him for some time a 
prisoner. At length, a minority of the House of Commons, 
after having expelled their colleagues, being under the influ- 
ence of the parliamentary army, instituted a high court of 
justice, composed of 133 members, for trying him on a charge 
of treason. Of this court, Bradshaw was appointed president. 
The king, having been arraigned before this tribunal, received 
the sentence, that " the court, being satisfied that Charles Stu- 
art is guilty of the crimes of which he has been charged, do 
adjudge him, as a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy 
to the good people of the nation, to be put to death, by sever- 
ing his head from his body." 

23. Charles was now no longer the man he had been before 
the civil war. Afiliction had chastened his mind ; he had 
sought and found strength and relief in the consolations of re- 
ligion ; and his conduct during his trial exalted his charactei , 
even in the estimation of his enemies. He denied the authority 
of the court, but declared that he forgave those who were the 
cause of his death, and submitted to his fate with fortitude and 
composure. Having laid his head on the block, one of the 
masked executioners severed it from his body at a blow ; the 
other, holding it up, exclaimed, " Behold the head of a traitor ! " 
while the sobs and lamentations of the spectators were mingled 
vith the acclamations of the soldiery (1649). -^ 

2 1. Such was the end of Charles I., — an awful lesson to king? 
to watch the growth of public opinion, and to moderate their 
pretensions in conformity with the reasonable desires of the'r 
subjects. His execution, however, was contrary to the gei.'era* 
feelings of the nation, but was the deed of comparatively a 
few men, actuated by ambition or the madness of the times. 
Even of the commissioners appointed to sit in judgment on 
him, only about half could be induced to attend his trial. But 
the manner of his death has tended to exalt his posthumous 
reputation ; for, while it has moderated the reproaches of hia 



a 12 ENGLAINiD. 

adversaries, it has enhanced the encomiums of his advocate.* 
who have styled aim " the royal martyr," and, in sympathy 
for his sufferings and resentment against the regicides, hava 
been disposed to overlook his misdeeds which brought him to 
the scaffold. 

25. It was the misfortune of Charles to inherit despotic prin- 
ciples from his ancestors, to be educated in a servile and profli- 
gate court, and to be surrounded by wretched counsellors, lie 
was one of the last men to learn the important lesson, which 
princes in all ages have been slow to learn, that the influence 
of authority must ultimately bend to the influence of opinion. 
But his greatest defect, as well as the principal cause of his 
ruin, was the system of duplicity and insincerity upon which 
he acted in his public character. Such was his want of fidelity 
in his engagements, that the parliament could never confide in , 
his promises. : 

26. But, weak and reprehensible as he was as a king, he waa : 
by no means destitute of abilities. He was possessed of con- 
eiderable learning and good talents as a speaker and writer, 
and, in his private character, was exemplary. In his manners j 
he is represented as cold, stiff, and formal, preserving a state 1 
and reserve, which were calculated to alienate those who ap- ; 
proached him. With respect to religion, he was, says Bishop j 
Burnet, " much inclined to a middle way between Protestant's i 
and Papists." ; 

27. The proceedings of Charles were at direct variance ' 
with every principle of civil and religious liberty ; and, had ■ 
they been acquiesced in on the part of the people, England | 
might now have been a despotism. Mr. Hume, the great 
apologist for the Stuart family, acknowledges the services of '■ 
the Puritans, " by whom alone," according to him, " the pre- 
cious spark of liberty had been kindled and was prese" ved, \ 
and to whom the English owe the whole freedom of their con- j 
stitution." I 

28. Tae intentions of those who first resisted the despotic i 
and intfilerant measures of the king and his court were doubt- 
less upright and patriotic ; and their exertions to secure the 
lights of the nation, which had been wantonly violated, entitle ; 
them to the gratitude of posterity. Yet it must be acknowl- 
edged, that those who opposed the intolerance of the king and | 
of Laud had themselves no consistent principles^ of religions 
liberty, In the progress of the contest, party spirit and fanat- ; 
icism were called into powerful operation, and the leaders of ' 
the pop liar party, in many cases, acted on the principle that 
ihe end sanctifies the means, and appeared to think themselves ' 
absolveii from all obligations of honor and honesty. Right 

V 



ENGLAND. 213 

and justice were outraged by those who professed to haye 
drawn the sword in their defence. But such inconsistency la 
characteristic of revolutions. 

29. The death of the king was soon followed by the aboli- 
tion both of the monarchy and the House of Lords by the 
Coinmons; and a republican government was established. It 
was publicly proclaimed, that the supreme authority of the na- 
tion resided in the representatives of the people ; and thnt il 
should be accounted treason to give any person the title of 
king w thou' the authority of pai'liament. 

30. After the execution of Laud, Episcopacy had been 
abolished, and Presbyterianism substituted in its stead. But 
the Presbyterian interest soon began to decline, and the Inde- 
pendents gained the ascendency ; and the power which the 
parliament had wrested from the king was at length, by the 
management of CromioeU, transferred to the army. Before 
the trial of Charles, measures had been taken to exclude the 
Presbyterians from parliament ; and that part of the House 
which remamed, distinguished by the ridiculous name of the 
Ru7np, was composed of Independents, under the influence of 
Cromwell. In this manner the Presbyterians, who had over- 
turned the church and the throne, fell victims to the military 
power which they had used as the instrument for accomplishing 
their designs. 

3L The parliament of Scotland took no part in the ti'ial of 
the king, and after his death they proclaimed Charles II. their 
sovereign, on condition of his signing the Covenant. Crom- 
well, at the head of 16,000 men, marched into Scotland, and 
defeated (1650) the royalist Covenanters in the battle of Dun- 
har. The royal army, retreating into England, was pursued 
by Cr jmwell, and, in the desperate battle of Worcester (1651) 
almost the whole of the troops were killed or taken prisoners , 
and the victorious commander returned in triumph to London. 

32. Young Charles escaped with difficulty. He assumea 
the difg jise of a peasant, journeying in the least frequented 
roads, ti availing only in the night, and passing the day in ob- 
scure cottages, where he was unknown, and where his food 
was generally a little coarse bread and milk. On one occa- 
sion, he sought safety by concealing himself, for a day, in the 
top of a large oak. In that precarious situation, he saw and 
heard his pursuers, as they passed by, talking of him, and ex- 
pressing a wish that they might discover the place of his con- 
cealment. After two months of romantic adventure, he found 
an op-'ortunity of escaping to France. 

33 The republican parliament passed (1651) the famous 



214 ENGLAND. 

Navigation Act,' which, by prohibiting the importation o* aB 
foreign merchandise, except in English bottoms, or in those of 
the country producing the commodities, tended greatly to pro- 
mote the naval superiority of Great Britain. This act, the ob 
ject of which was to wrest the carrying-trade of Europe from 
the Dutch, was the cause of a war between England and Hol- 
land, which terminated in favor of the former, and in whii^h 
the celebrated Admiral Blake distinguished himself, and had for 
his antagonists the great Dutch maritime chiefs, Van Tromp 
and De Ruyter. " 

34 The parliament, which had been in session twelve years, 
known by the name of the Long Parliament, had lost the 
confidence of the people. It had been subservient to the views 
of Cromwell ; but, having at length become jealous of him, it 
formed the design of reducing the army, intending, by that 
means, to diminish his power. Cromwell, perceiving their ob- 
ject, and being secure of the attachment of the army, resolved 
on seizmg the sovereign power. While sitting in a council of 
officers, on being informed of an unfavorable reply of parlia- 
ment to a petition which they had presented, he rose up on a 
sudden, with an appearance of fury, and, turning to Major- 
General Vernon, cried out, that he was compelled to do a thing 
which made the very hairs of his head stand on end. 

35. Taking with him 300 soldiers to the door, he speedily 
entered the house with marks of violent indignation in his 
countenance ; and, after listening awhile to the debates, he 
started up, and began to load the parliament with reproaches. 
Then, stamping upon the floor, he gave a signal for his soldiers 
to enter ; and, addressing himself to the members, " For 
shame ! " said he ; " get you gone ; give place to honester 
men ! I tell you, you are no longer a parliament ; the Lord 
has done with you ! " Having turned out all the members, he 
ordered the doors to be locked. 

36. In this manner Cromwell seized the reins ot govern' 
ment ; but he was willing to give his subjects a parliamen , 
fiot, indeed, elected in the usual forni, but modelled on pr n 
e'ples entirely new. The ministers took the sense of the 
" Congregational churches " in the several counties, and re- 
turns were made containing the names of such persons as 
were deemed qualified for this high trust. Out of these, the 
council, in the presence of Cromwell, selected 163 represent- 
atives, to each of whom a writ of summons was sent, requiring 
his attendance ; and, on the appointed day, 120 of them pre- 
sented themselves in the council -chamber at Whitehall. This 
body, composed of men who were deeply imbued with the 
fanat'cism of the times, is known by the name of the JdUle 



ENGLAND. 215 

Parliament^ and is also often called Baremne's Parliament^ 
from a leading member, a leather-dresser, whose name, given 
according to the taste of the age, was Praise-God Barebone. 

37. The Little Parliament assembled on the 4th of July 
1653, and was dissolved in the following December. At the 
time of its dissolution, a new constitution was published, and 
Cromwell assumed the title and offige of Proiector, having 
now obtained the great object of his ambition, the station and 
authority, though not the title, of king. He was assisted by a 
council of 21 members, and, instead of the title of majesty, he 
received that of highness. He afterwards aspired to the title 
of king, which was at length tendered to him, yet under such 
cu'cumstances of opposition and danger, that he thought proper 
to decline it. 

38. The government which he had usurped he administered 
with unrivalled energy and ability, and he was the most able 
and powerful potentate of his time in Europe. Abroad, hia 
fleets and armies were victorious, and the island of Jamaica 
and the strong town of Dunkirk were taken from the Spaniards : 
at home, he defeated and punished the conspiracies formed 
against him ; granted religious toleration ; caused justice to be 
ably and impartially administered by upright and learned 
judges ; made himself to be respected and dreaded by the 
neighboring nations, and his friendship to be sought by every 
foreign power ; and the splendor of his character and explohs 
rendered the short period of the protectorate one of the most 
brilliant in English history ; nor were the rights of England, 
under the reign of any other sovereign, more respected abroad. 
But, notwithstanding all his efforts, his enemies were numerous 
among both the royalists and republicans : he passed the lasi 
part of his life in constant fear of assassination ; wore armoi 
under his clothes ; kept pistols in his pocket ; and never slept 
more than three nights in the same chamber. At last, after 
having u.surped the government 9 years, he died of a tertian 
agixc (1658), in the 60th year of his age. 

39. Cromwell was one of the greatest and most extraordi- 
nary -meti that England has produced ; and, till the rise of 
Bonaparte, his name was without a parallel in modern Europe, 
Men were accustomed to look with a feeling of awe upon the 
individual who, without the aid of birth, wealth, or connec- 
tions, was able, by the force of his talents, to seiz.e the govern- 
ment of three powerful kingdoms, and impose the yoke of ser- 
vitude upon the necks of the very men who had fought in his 
company to emancipate themselves from the arbitrary sway 
ef their hereditary sovereign. 

40 He owed his elevation to his influence with the army, 



216 ENGLAND. 

and the character of that body and that of their leader »vere 
in a great measure, mutually formed by each other. The 
officers and soldiers made high professions of religion ; relig- 
ious exercises were of as frequent occurrence as those of 
military duty ; the generals opened their proceedings in coun- 
cil by prayer ; and among them Cromwell was preeminent in 
spiritual gifts, and was . regarded by them as the favorite of 
"•-leaven. While eagerly toiling up the ascent to greatness, he 
Ubored to make it appear that he was involuntarily borne tor- 
ward by a resistless force, by the wishes of the army, by the 
necessities of the state, and by the will of Providence ; and, in 
ssuming authority, he yielded, with feigned reluctance, to the 
advice which he had himself suggested. 

41. The name of Cromw«ll has been subjected to the almost 
universal charge of unbounded ambition and deep hypocrisy ; 
and there is scarcely to be met with, in the annals of the 
world, another man alike conspicuous, and possessed of equal 
merit in liis public and private character, who has met less 
favor from history. This is, indeed, a natural Yesult, as his 
course was alike hostile to legitimate monarchy and re- 
publican liberty, and rendered him equally odious to the two 
leading parties of the times, the advocates of the privileges of 
the people, and those of the prerogative of the king; and it 
may also be remarked, that, by his high professions of religion, 
be made himself liable to the severest judgment. His deser- 
tion from the cause of liberty, and his baseness in subverting 
Jie freedom of his country, proved fatal, at once, to his happi 
ness and his fame. 

42. Cromwell, in private life, in the several relations of a 
husband, a father, a neighbor, and a friend, was exemplary. 
From his early days to the close of his career, religion, or re- 
ligious enthusiasm, formed a distinguished trait in his charac- 
ter ; and it frequently manifested itself in the senate and in the 
field, and also in his domestic retirement. Some writers have 
maintained that he was a dissembler in religion as well as in 
politics; and that, for interested purposes, he condescjendcd to 
ac' the part of a character which he despised. " But this sup- 
position," as Dr. Lingard justly observes, " is contradicted by 
the uniform tenor of his life." 



43. Richard Cromwell^ after the death of his father, wa3 
j»roclaimed protector ; but the contrast between the father and 
son was wonderful. Richard was neither a statesman nor a 
soldier, had no experience in public business, and possessed 
feeble talents, and little ambition ; and, after a few months, he 
res».gned the office, and retired to private life. A state of 



ENGLAND. 2'^ 

anarchy succeeded, when Gener'al Monk (afterwards Duke cj \ 

Albemarle)^ the miUtary commander in Scotland, marched hia i 

army into England, and crushed the contending factions. A I 
parliament was assembled, and on the 29th of May, 1660, 
Charles IL, now 30 years of age, was restored to the throne 

of his father. ~^^y>^ j 

44. The nation, indiscreetly trusting to the general profea- ' 
s'-ons of Charles II., suffered him to assume the crown with- 

o"Jt imposing on him any conditions ; and his reign, and that 
of James IL, exhibit a disgusting repetition of struggles, similar | 

to I hose which had occurred under the two first princes of the , 

house of Stuart. The first impressions with regard to the new 1 

king were favorable ; his manners were easy and familiar, but j 

his habits were indolent ; and experience soon proved his ; 

character to be profligate and worthless. ' 

45. The change in the public sentiment, observable at this | 
period, is not a little remarkable. The same people, who, but i 
a few years before, were so jealous of liberty, and exclaimed ' 
so loudly against monarchical government, are now exhibited j 
as soliciting, with eagerness, the shackles of arbitrary power. I 
A number of the regicides were condemned and executed, j 
and the bodies of Cromwell, Bradshaw, and Ireton, were dug j 
up from their graves, and hanged upon the gallows, to gratify i 
the vindictive spirit of the king and the cavaliers. High- { 
church or Tory principles, and the slavish doctrines of passive 
obedience and non-resistance, now came in vogue. An act 
of uniformity in religion was passed (1662), by which about 
2,000 non-conforming ministers were deprived of their, livings ; 
and another attempt was made to establish episcopacy il 
Scotland. 

46. The prodigality of Charles kept him always in want. 
Dunkirk, which had been acquired by Cromwell, he sold to the 
French for ,£400,000, which he soon squandered upon his 
pleasures. He entered into hostilities with the Dutch, which 
were carried on, for some time, with spirit. While this war 
wa? x-aging, London was visited (1665) by a tremendous 
plague, which carried off about 90,000 inhabitants ; and we.9 
followed, the next year, by a Jire, by which 13,200 houses, 
con\prising about two thirds of the metropolis, were reduced 
^ ashes. 

47. In consequence of the unsuccessful issue of the war 
(which was terminated by the peace of Breda, 1667), and of 
the sale of Dunkirk, the government became unpopular, and 
the celebrated Lord Clarendon, on wliom the odium was 
chieflj cast was banished, and passed the remainder of his 



818 ENGLAND. ; 

life in France. After the fall of Clarendon, the governmeni j 

became more unprincipled ; and the five ministers, by whom ! 

it was conducted, have been stigmatized by the term of Cahal j 

so called from the initial letters of their names. ' 

48. The Duke of York (afterwards James II.), who hue 
now the chief influence at court, was an avowed Catholic : 1 
Charles, so far as he had any sense of religion, was a con i 
ccaled one, and had the baseness to receive from Louis XIV ! 
of France a pension of ^200,000 a year, for the purpose of i 
efitablishing the Catholic religion and despotic povrer in Eng ; 
I md. A general consternation for the safety of the Protestani , 
laligion and of public liberty prevailed ; and the latter part of 
(/harles's reign exhibits an uninterrupted series of attacks upon '. 
the lives, liberty, and property of his subjects, and a disgust- ; 
ing scene of party intrigues, and of plots and conspiracies ; ; 
yet it was at this period that parliament passed the Haieas 
Corpus act, a most important security to the subject against j 
personal oppression. ; 

49. A pretended Popish Plot, disclosed by the infamous ' 
Titus Oaies, occasioned an unjust execution of Lord Stafford, 
and some other Catholics. Another pretended conspiracy, in 
favor of reform, was called the Rye-House Plot, in which j 
those eminent patriots, Lord Russell and Algernon Sydney, i 
were accused of being concerned, and, on testimony supposed j 
to be perjured, were condemned and beheaded. '■ 

50. The character of the court, as well as that of the king, : 
was notorious for its profligacy ; and it had a most unhappy \ 
influence upon the nation. A general dissoluteness of manners ; 
characterized the reign. All appearance of devotion, and all ■ 
regularity of morals, were regarded as puritanical, and ex- j 
ploded as unfashionable. Charles II. was a man of wit and ] 
good-humor, and possessed such talents as enabled him to | 
shine among his gay and profligate companions , but he had ■ 
no qualities, as a man or a king, that entitle him to the respoct 

01 gratitude of posterity. / 

51. James JJ., who succeeded (1685) his brother Charles, 
WIS inferior to him in talents, but much more devoted to busi- i 
ifloss : like his predecessors of the Stuart family, he was arbi- \ 
trary and impolitic ; and his short and inglorious reign was 
wholly employed in attempts to establish the Catholic religion 
tind despotic power. On assuming the government, he ex ; 
pressed his contempt for the authority of parliament, and hia i 
determination to exercise an unlimited despotism. He made j 
Romish priests and Jesuits his chief counsellors ; and though ■ 
tlie Catholics, at this time, composed but a very small propor« I 



E-NuLAND 219 

tion of the people of England, yel he undertook ilie desperate 
attempt to set aside the Protestant reUgion, and, instead of it, 
to establish the Roman Catholic faith. 

52. The Duke of Monmouth, a natural son of Charles II. 
who, during the preceding reign, had defeated the Scottish 
Covenanters at Bothwell Bridge, having now excited a rebel- 
lion, with a view to seize the crown, was defeated, taken pris- 
oner, and beheaded. The most inhuman rigor was exerciseii 
agaiast those who favored him. The atrocious chief justice , 
Jeffreys, the most noted as an unscrupulous and profligate 
judge in English history, exercised the most unrelenting 
cruelty. Fie gloried in his barbarity, and boasted that he 
had hanged more men than any other judge since the time of 
William the Conqueror ; and his bloody career was styled by 
James, with unfeeling jocularity, "Jeffreys' campaign." 

53. The elForts of James, in favor of the Catholic religion 
were, for a considerable time, attended with success. Bus 
having caused seve7i bishops to be committed to the Towe. 
for refusing to read a declaration to suspend the laws agains< 
popery, the passive spirit of the nation disappeared, and iv 
general indignation was roused. William, Prince of Orange, 
who had married Mary, the eldest daughter of James, was in- 
vited over, and landed at Torhay, with an army, in order to 
assume the government. 

54. The principal nobility and officers soon joined his stand- 
ard, and James, being deserted by the people, and even by his 
own children, escaped to France, where he passed the remain- 
der of his life. A Convention-Parliament declared the king's 
flight an abdication, and settled the crown upon William III. 
and Mary. This event is styled by British writers the glorious 
revolution of 1688. 

55. The British constitution now became, in many impor- 
ant points, fixed and determined. The Protestant succession 
tvas secured ; religious toleration granted ; and Presbyterianism 
reestablished in Scotland. A declaration was made, fixing the 
rights of the subject, and the prerogative of the king. Some 
of the most important articles are the following : — 1. The 
king cannot suspend the laws or their execution. 2. He can- 
not levy money without the consent of pa'^liament. 3. The 
subjects have a right to petition the crown. 4. A standing 
army cannot be kept in time of peace but with the consent of 
parliament. 5. Elections and parliamentary debates must ba 
free, and parliaments must be frequently assembled. 

56. Archbishop Sancroft, seven other bishops, and a eon- 
siderablo number of the clergy, who held the doctrines of paa 



220 ENGLAND. 

BJve obodienre and the divine right of kings and bishops, look* 
ing upon James as still their lawful king, refused to take tha 
oath of allegiance to William, and were deprived of their sta- 
tions. From this circumstance they were styled Non-jurors 
Hiffh-Church?nen, and Jacobites, 

57. Ireland still adhered to James, and the parliament of 
»hat country declared William an usurper. Being assisted by 
Louis XIV. of France, James landed with some French forces 
in Ireland, where he was joined by a large army ; but he was 
defeated by William at the river Boyne, and the country sub- 
mitted to the new king. A large fleet, which Louis XIV. had 
prepared in favor of James, was destroyed by Admiral Rus- 
sell, off Cape la Hogue ; and by the peace of Ryswick, which 
followed (1697), the title of William to the crown was ac- 
knowledged. 

58. William was a man of feeble constitution, but of dis- 
tinguished talents, especially in war, to which his taste strongly 
inclined him ; and he was esteemed one of the greatest com- 
manders of his age. He was rather fitted to command respect 
than affection, as he excelled more in the severer, than in the 
milder, virtues, being wholly devoted to business, and his man- 
ners being cold, grave, and reserved: he was a firm friend to 
civil and religious liberty ; but he was less popular with his 
subjects than some other sovereigns of far less merit. Mary, 
his queen, and partner of the throne, who died seven years be 
fore him, was a woman distinguished for her virtues. 

59. On the death of William, the crown devolved upon 
Anne (1702), the second daughter of James II., who was mar- 
ried to George, Prince of Denmark. She was respected for 
her virtues, and she has been honored by the appellation of 
"Good Queen Anne"; though, according to Lord Mahon, 
" she was a very weak woman, full of prejudices, fond of flat- 
tery, — always blindly guided by some female favorite." Her 
reign was distinguished not only for militaiy. achievements, tut 
also for eminent attainments in philosophy and literature ; and 
is sometimes styled the Augustan age of England. 

60. In the first year of this reign. Great Britain, Germany, 
and Holland, in alliance with each other, declared war against 
France. The Duke of Marlborough, one of the greatest com- 
manders of modern times, was appointed generalissimo of the 
allied army ; and the imperial general was the celcbi'ated 
Prince Eugene. In this great contest, the Allies had greatly 
the advantage, effectually checked the ambition and encroach- 
ments of Louis XIV., and gained the splendid victories of 
Blenheim (1704), Ramillies {11 OQ), Oudenarde (1708), and 



ENGLAND. 2Sh 

Malplaquet (1709). The war was terminated by the peace 
2f Utrecht, in 1713. 

61. An important event of this reign was the constitutional 
unio7i between England and Scotland (1706), which put a 
period to the contests which had harassed both countries, and 
included them under one common title of Great Britain. 

62. The party names of Whigs and Tories, which are stil 
used to designate parties in England, first became common in 
the reign of Charles II. The Whigs were advocates for the 
riglits of the people ; the Tories favored those of the crown 
I he accession of William and Mary was advocated chiefly by 
the Whigs. During the reign of Anne, parties ran high ; the 
nation was thrown into a ferment by the preaching of Dr. 
SachevereU, who inculcated the Tory principle of passive obe. 
dience ; and, towards the close of the reign, the Tories sup- 
planted the Whigs in the queen's favor, and came into power 



SECTION IX. 

HouyE OF Bkttnswick : — George I. ; George IT. ; George 
III. ; George IV. ; WiUiam IV. ; Victoria. 

1. On the death of Queen Anne (1714), George J., Elector 
of Hanover, succeeded to the crown, in the 55th year of his 
age. Before he ascended the throne, he had acquired some 
reputation as a politician and a general. He was plain in liis 
manners, and not of elevated character or taste ; but he was a 
man of great application to business ; and his reign was pacific 
and prosperous. Some faults in his government were attributed 
to a venal ministry ; and he was esteemed, to the end of his 
life, in his views and conduct, much more the Elector of Han- 
over than the King of England. 

2. The two parties which had long divided the kingdom 
now, for a time, changed their titles, the Whigs being styled 
TIanoverians, and the Tories Jacobites. The former, being 
strenuous advocates for the accession of George, received in 
rsfurn from him favor and support, and were restored to 
power. This circumstance alienated and enraged the Tories 
to such a degree, that many of them took part with the Pre- 
tender, son of James II., who was proclaimed king in Scot- 
and, and made an effort to obtain the crown ; but the rebellion 
was suppressed, and the leaders executed. 

3. A pacific reign, like that of George I., furnishes few- 
events of importance in history. One, however, of disastrous 

19* 



222 ENGLAND. 

consequences, occurred, called the South Sea Scheme, a base 
imposture, by which it was proposed to diminish the burden of 
the national debt by lowering the interest. It gave a great 
ehock to public credit, and involved thousands in ruin. 

4. George II., who succeeded his father in the 44th year of 
his age, was an able general, of great personal courage, but 
was too fond of war, and delighted in military parade. Hia 
temper was violent, his talents respectable, though little culti. 
vatod by education, and his internal administration generally 
equitable and popular ; but his private character was licentious, 
and the morals of the court, during his reign, were very cor- 
rupt. His partialities in favor of his continental dominions 
are represented as still stronger than those of his father, and 
he has been censured for involving Great Britain in expensive 
wars on account of the interests of the electorate of Hanover. 

5. The most prominent person in the administration, during 
a considerable portion of the reign of George I., and during 
the former part of that of George II., was Sir Robert Walpole, 
a man whose policy was pacific, and who was distmguished 
for his talents, and not less so for the system of corruption and 
venality which he practised while in office. 

6. The military operations of this reign were extensive and 
numerous ; and the British arms were, for the most part, tri- 
umphant. Charles VI., Emperor of Germany, who died in 
1740, was succeeded in his dominions by his daughter, the 
celeBrated Maria Theresa, who was married to Fva/icis of 
Lorraine. But Charles, the Elector of Bavaria, asrerted hia 
claim, to the throne, and, by the aid of Louis XV., was elected 
emperor. 

7. This gave rise to a war, which involved tho principal 
states of Europe, called the war of the Austrian Succession ; 
during which the Allies, under George II., defeated the French 
in the battle of Dettingen (1743); and the French, under 
Marshal Saxe, routed the Allies at Fontenoy (1745), Great 
Britain was the principal support of Maria Theresa, and by 
tks peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748^ her claim to the throne 
was confirmed. 

8. While George II. was absent on the Continent, at the head 
of the British arn.y, Charles Edward, the young Pretender^ 
assisted by Louis XV. of France, made an effort to recovei 
the throne of his ancestors. Having landed in Scotland, he 
put himself at the head of an army, and defeated the royal 
forces in the battles of Preston-Pans and Falkirk ; but waa 
afterwards entirely defeated by the Duke of Cumberland, in 
«".ie i^'^cisive battle of Culloden (1_746). This was the last 



ENGLAND. 2!2!t 

battle that has heen fought on the soil of Great Britain, and it 
.erminated the last effort of the Stuart family to reascend the 
throne, which had been forfeited by the most egregious folly, 
and the most flagitious attempts. 

9. In the latter part of this reign, the war between Great 
Britain ana France was renewed, and in its progress the British 
took Louisburg, Fort du Quesne, Ticonderoga, Croum Point, 
Niagara, and finally, under the command of General PFb//e, 
ihey gained possession of the city of Quebec. These succes-ios 
were ft^Uowed by the surrender of all Canada on the part of 
the French to the English, in JTGSe During these operation? 
in America, the British also made extensive conquests in India 

10. During the reign of George II., Great Britain made great 
progress in wealth and general improvement. The national 
debt, however, was more than doubled during the reign ; and 
at the end of the seven years' war, in 1763, it amounted to 
nearly .£139,000,000. This debt was commenced during the 
reign of William and Mary, and, at the end of the reign of 
George III., it amounted to upwards of .£800,000,000. 



11. George II. was succeeded (1760) by his grandson, 
George III., who was the first king of the house of Brunswick 
that was born in England. He commenced his reign at an 
auspicious period, when the arms of Great Britain were trium- 
phant, and the administration able and popular. The war with 
France was, not long afterwards, brought to a close ; and by 
the peace of Paris, Canada, and other territories in North 
America, were confirmed to England. 

12. William Pitt (afterwards Lord Chatham) was at the 
head of the administration during the last years of the pre- 
ceding reign ; and, in the former part of this, he was the most 
prominent public man in the nation. At this period, oppres- 
sive measures were adopted by the British government with re- 
gard to the American Colonies. These Chatham opposed with 
his powerful eloquence : but they were persisted in ; hostilities 
were commenced ; a declaration of the independence of the 
United States was made, and their independence was finally 
acknowledged by Great Britain, in 1783. [See United States.] 

13. The other most important events in the history of Eng- 
land, during this reign, are the extension^f the British do- 
Tiinions in India, the Irish rebellio n of L7 98. the union between 
ihat country and Great Britain, in 1800, and the various oper- 
ations of the unexampled war which grew out of the French 
Revolution. [See France.] 

14. In 1789, the French revolution broke out, convulsing aU 
Euiopf ; and it was thought to threaten the overthrow of aL 



224 ENGLAND. 

established governments. The government of Great BiitMii, 
alarmed respecting its own safety, embarked zealously in the 
European war, with a view to check the dissemination of dam 
ocratic principles both at home and abroad. 

15. The system of operations was devised and managed un 
der the direction of William Pitt, the son of Lord Chatham 
who was now at the head of the administration. This calam 
itous war continued to convulse the Continent for 25 years 
and, during a part of the time, Great Britain alone had all 
Europe arrayed against her. But after various fluctuations ,of 
failure and success, she came off victorious, yet not without 
an immense loss of the blood of her subjects, and a vast in- 
crease of her national debt. Some of the principal victories, 
which the British obtained during this war, were those of the 
Nile and of Trafalgar, by Nelson; and those of Talavera^ 
Salamanca, Vittoria, and Waterloo, by Wellington. 1^1/ 

16. The reign of George III., who died in 1820, was longer 
than that of any other English monarch ; and it forms a dis- 
tinguished period in the history of the kingdom, on account of 
its military events, and the progress of the nation in commerce, 
wealth, and the arts. During the last ten years of his life, he 
was afflicted with insanity to such a degree, as entirely disquali- 
fied him for all business, and the Prince of Wales acted as Re- 
gent. His talents were not brilliant, nor were his views, as a 
statesman, enlai-ged ; but his private character was exemplary, 
and he was much respected by his subjects. 

17. George III. was succeeded, in 1820, by his son, George 
IV., who was a man of talents and accomplishments, but whose 
life, during both his youth and his manhood, had been marked 
by great prodigality and dissipation ; and there was little in his 
character or his conduct, while a sovereign, to entitle him to 
the affection or respect of his subjects. While a prince, and 
not in power, he connected himself with the opposition or 
Whigs ; but, both as regent and king, he adhered to the 
Tories, to the neglect of his former friends. 

18. Soon after the accession of George IV., a bill for di- 
vorcuig and degrading the queen, Caroline, on charges of 
misconduct, was introduced into the House of Lords, and, after 
being carried by a vote of 108 to 99, it was abandoned ; and 
the queen soon after died. 

19. The Greeks having for some years maintained a sangui- 
nary struggle for independence against the Turks, an inter- 
position in their favor was made by England, France, and 
Russia ; and the united fleets of these three powers obtained, 
in 182T, a great victory over the Turkish fleet at Navarino. 



ENGLAND. 825 

20. In 1828, the Corporation and Test Act, which had long 
operated to exclude Catholics and Dissenters from all corpcrat> 
offices, was repealed ; and it was followed, in 1829, by the still 
more important measure of Catholic Emancipation. By this 
(jLCt, the laws imposing civil disabilities on Roman Catholics 
were repealed. In addition to these great national measures, 
many other important alterations and improvements were made 
in the laws of Great Britain during the reign of George IV. 
Th-o penal code was improved by rendering punishment more 
Curtain, and much less sanguinary. 

21. George IV. was succeeded, in 1830, by his brother, tho 
Duke of Clarence, with the title of William IV. In about a 
month after his accession, a revolution took place in France, 
which caused the dethronement of Charles X. A wide-spread 
feeling of uneasiness and disaffection was felt in England, and 
the country was alarmed by numerous incendiary fires. For 
many years the subject of a reform of the repi-esentation of 
the people in the House of Commons had been much agitated 
and it was now more loudly called for than ever before. On 
the meeting of the new parliament, the Duke of Wellington^ 
the prime minister, unexpectedly expressed himself strongly 
against any reform ; but the duke and his colleagues, not find- 
ing themselves supported by a majority of the House of Com- 
mons, resigned, and were succeeded by a Whig ministry, with \ 
Earl Grey at the head. 

22. On the 1st of March, 1831, Lord John Russell, as the 
organ of the cabinet, brought into parliament the first Reform 
Bill ; but this bill, and also a second one, the ministry failed to 
carry through both Houses ; but a third bill was, after a violent 
sti'uggle, carried and enacted into a law, in June, 18.32. Thia 
important measure, which renders the House of Commons a 
body much more effectually representing the people, occupied 
the greater part of the first two years of the reign of William, 
to the exclusion of almost all other measures. 

23. The first parliament, elected under the new system, as- 
sembled in Januiry, 1833 ; and the reform of the representa- 
tion was soon followed by the reform of the Irish church, the 
abolition of slavery in the British colonies, with a compensa 
tion of =£20,000,000 paid to the planters ; the reform of tho 
pool -laws ; and the renewal, with important provisions, of the 
East India Charter. v^ 

24. William IV. was succeeded, in 1837, by Queen Vic- 
toria, the daughter of the Duke of Kent, the fourth son of 
George III. ; and she was married in 1840 to Prince Albert 
of Cjburg. 



226 ENGLAND. 

25. The principal military operations of the Biitish since 
ihe commencement of the reign of Victoria, have been the wai 
in the northwestern part of India with the Afghans^ which ^vas 
terminated by the annexation of the territory of Sinde to the 
Bt itish East India possessions ; and the war with China, which 
was caused by the resistance of the Chinese to the trade in 
opium. After various successes on the part of the English, 
a treaty of peace was concluded, in 1842, the Chinese being 
compelled to pay 21 millions of dollars, to cede the island (jf 
flong Kong, and to open five of their ports to British com- 
merce, 

26. Some of the most important recent acts of the British 
government are the reduction of letter postage to one penny, 
the repeal of the corn-laws, which restricted the free importa- 
jon of corn, and the repeal of the navigation laws. 

27. One of the greatest modern improvements in Great 
Britain is the construction of railroads throughout all parts of 
:.he country. The first railroad on which locomotive steam- 
sngines were used for the conveyance of passengers, was the 
Manchester and Liverpool Railroad, which was opened for use 
in 1830. The number of miles of railroad in actual use ic 
Great Britain and Ireland, in 1849, amounted to 5,447. 

28. For some years past the public mind in England, Ire- 
land, and Scotland has been much agitated in relation to their 
respective ecclesiastical establishments. In England loud com- 
plaints are made of the overgrown revenues of the Established 
Church, and the very unequal and unjust distribution of them ; 
and of the oppressed condition of the numerous classes of Dis- 
senters. 

2.9, " In Ireland," as is observed by Sir Henry Hardinge, 
" five sixths of the property are Protestant, while five sixths 
of the population are Catholic." Yet the established religion 
is that of the Church of England, with a richly endowed clergy, 
while the Catholic clergy derive their support from voluntary 
contributions and from fees from their people, who are, for 
the most part, extremely poor. 

30. In Scotland a strenuous effort was made to establish the 
right of congregations to choose their ministers , but the advo- 
cates of this measure, after a long contest, failed of their 
object , and in 1843, about 460 out of somewhat more than 
l,i^i)0 ministers of the Established Church, " seceded in ordei 
to free themselves from the interference of the civil courts in 
ecclesiastical matters." The seceders, consisting of the minis« 
ters and such of the laity as followed them, a large and re 
speetf ble body, now form the " Free Church of Scotland." 



ENGLAND. 



221 



' 


■■"' « 


Table of the History of England. — No. i. 


From the Accession of Eybert. 827. to the Death of Richard III., 1485. 


A. D. 




Kings. 


><; 




800 
















Saron family. 




27 


Egbert 


11 


First sole monarch of England : end of the 




3--: 


Ethel wolf 


20 


Saxon Heptarchy. 


^th 


7>~ 


Ellielbald 


3 


C Tlie Danes begin their hostile attacks, and 




6(1 


Ethelbert 


6 


< continue, for more than two centuries, to 




efi 


Elhelred 1. 


5 


C scourge the country. 




72 


Alfred 


28 


An illustrious king; rtas a pjosperous leign. 


900 






— 










CIO 


Edward the Elder 


25 


The Danes defeated. 




2.-. 


Athelslan 


16 


Defeats the Danes. Welsh, Scots, &c. 




41 


Kdiiiund 1. 


7 


Murdered by the robber Le.olf. 

A slave of superstition, and dupe of Ihinstan 


mh 


4^ 


Edred 
Edwy 


7 
4 




5'.) 


F.ilgar 


16 


Dunstan archbishop: Wolves exterminated. 




7o 


Edward tJie Martyr 


3 


A.ssassinated by order oiElfrida. 




78 


Elhelred 11. 


37 


Massacre of the Danes at the festival St. Brict. 


1000 







— 










15 


Sweyn, Dmie 


i 


Conquers England, and is proclaimed king. 




16 


Edmund II., Ironside 


1 


Defe,-ited by tlie Danes, anil nuirdered. 
Danish Kings. 




17 


Canute the Great 


19 


Completes the conquest of England. 




3C 


Harold I., Harefoot 


4 






39 


Canute II. 


3 


The power of the Danes terminates. 


nth 








S'a.ron Liyie restored. 




41 


Edward, ConfessiorX 


24 


First king that touched for the King's Evil. 




65 


Harold II. ' ' 


• 1 


Defeated and slain at Hastings. 
Norman Family. 




66 


William, Conqueror 


21 


Conquers England ; introduces the Feudal Sys- 
tem and Norman Language. 




87 


William n. 


13 


Is shot while hunting. Archbishop Anselm. 


1100 


— 




— 










OCI 


Henry I. 


35 


Usurps the throne of his brother Robert. 




35 


Stephen (,of Blois) 


19 


Usurps, and has contests with Matilda. 
Family of Plantagenet. 


I2tli 


54 


Henry H. 


35 


Onquers Ireland ; has long and severe contests . 
with Becket ; rebellion of his sons. 




S9 


Richard 1. 


10 


Engages in a Crusade, and defeats Saladin. 




99 


John, Lackland 


17 


Foreign dominions lost; Magna Charta. 


1200 


_ 




— 










16 


Henry IH. V 


56 


Battles of Letccs and Evesham : Montfort ; 


mh 








First House of Commons. 




72 


Edward I. 


35 


Subdues Wales ; battles of Falkirk, &c. 


1300 


— 




— 










7 


Edward II. — ' 


20 


Defeated by the Scots at Baitvockbnrn. 




27 


Edward III. ,.,-,. 


50 


A splendid reign: Chivalry \n its zenith; Vic- 
tories of Cre'ssy, Poitiers, &c. : Edward the 


lith 








Black Prince. 




77 


Richard II. ~» 


22 


Deposed and murdered. Wickliffe, Chaucer 
Branch of Lancaster. 


^ 


99 


Henry IV. — 


14 


Gains the throne instead of the rightful heir. 


itoo 


— 




— 










13 


Henry v."* 


9 


Victory oC Agincoiirt. 0/dcQs//e burnt 


- 


■a 


Henry W. -^ 


39 


Civil wars of the White and Red Rose* Ycrk 
and Lancaster. 


mh 


1 




Branch of York. 


-i. 


61 


Edward IV..^— ■- 


22 


Battles of Towton, Barnet. and Tewksbury. ' 




83 


E.Uvard v.— 




Murdered after a reign of 74 days. 




83 


Richard IIL 


2 


Defeated and slain at Bosieorth. 



Tlio figures on the left hand of the kings, in these tables, denote the commencement c* 
Uieic reigna. Thus it appears that Egtiert began to reiga in 827, and reigned 11 yeare- 



228 



ENGLAND. 



Table of the History of England. — No 2. 
From Henry VII., 1485, to Victoria. 



A. D. 
1400 

I5th 

1500 



mh 



1600 



mh 



1700 



ISth 



isoo 



19th 



Henry YTL- 



Edward VI. 
Mary 



Elizabeth 



James I. - 
Charles I. 



Cromwell 
Charles It. 



Henry VH. 



James IT. »— 
William m. & Mary 



Anne 

George I. 
George IL 

George HI. 



George IV. 



V/iUiam IV. 



House of Tudor. 
Marries Elizabeth, daughter of Ed ward IV., unit- 
ing the Houses of York & Lancaster; commerce 
encouraged ; the Feudal System declines. 



A cruel tyrant ; victory of Flodden by Surrey , 
introduces the Reformation ; 2 guee?is divorced, 
two beheaded; }Volsei/ disgraced; Bp. Fishf^, 
Sir T. More, Cromwell, and Surrey beheaded. 

Promotes the Reformation, aided by Cranmer. 

Restores Cath. relig.; marries Philip II, of Spain 
Jane Grey beheaded ; many Protestants burnt. 

Has an auspicious reign, assisted by Bacon. Bur 
leigh, Walsingham, &c.; agriculture, commerce, 
and literature flourish; the Church of England 
establislied ; Mary, Q,ueen of Scots, beheaded; 
the Spanisb Armada destroyed. 



House of Stuart. 

Unites the crowns of England and Scotland ; 
the Gunpowder Plot defeated ; the Bible trans- 
lated ; the Puritans settle at Plymouth, Mass. 

Despotic ; attempts to raise money without con- 
sent of Parliament ; cm7 irar rages ; Strafford 
and Laud beheaded; Charles defeated and be- 
headed (1649) ; the Commonicealth beg'as. 

Dissolves the Long Parliament, and becomes 
Protector. Navig"ation Act. Dutch war. 

Profligate ; his reign injurious to liberty andwio- 
rality ; Plague and Fire in London ; Clar&ndon 
banished ; Russell and Alg. Sydney executed. 

Attemfis to establish the Catholic religion, and 

j is obliged to abdicate; h&xi'-e ihe Revolution. 
13' Constitution coiifirmf.A: battles of Bo;/ «e and ia 

I Hague: Peace oi Ryswick: Nat. Debt begins. 



Marlborough & Eugene's victorias of BlenheiTn, 

Ramillies. Malplaquet, &c. : Literal, flourishes. 

House of Brunsicick or Hanover. 

Rebellion in favor of the Pretender suppressed • 
South Sea Scheme. Walpole minister. 

The Pretender overthrown at Culloden : Wai 
with France carried on in Europe, Asia, and 
America : Battle oi Dettingcn : Conq. of Canada. 

A long and eventful reign : Hostilities with, and 
loss of, the Atnerican Colonies : long war with 
France, terminated by the battle of Wattricc . 
Possessions in Iruiia greatly extended : fxira- 
merce and the arts flourish ; but the Nalioncl 
Debt greatly increased. Regency ISll. 



A Bill of Pains and Penalties brought into Par- 
liament against the Q,ueen (Caroline), but re- 
linquished: Battle of Navarino -. Corporation 
and Test Acts repealed : Cathol. Emancipation. 

The Duke of Wellington's Ministry succeeded 
by that of Earl Grey : the Reform Bill passes. 
Irish Church Reform : Colonial Slavery abol- 
ished : East India Charter renewed. 

Married to Prince Albert Melbourne, Peel, 
and Russell, prime ministers. 



ENGLAM?. 



229 



, . __ — 

Cheonological Table of English Literature. 




A. D. 


Statesmen -and "g 
Commanders. ^ 


Poets. 


"5 


Divines. 


1 


Miscellaneous, .g 




1500 
















■^ 




Wolsey 


30 


Skelton 


29 


Tvndale 


36 


Th. Blore — ' 


35 






T. Cromwell 


40 


Wyatl 


41 ; Ridley :— 


55 


Wyalt 


41 






Somerset 


52 


Earl of Surrey 


47 


Latimer — 


55 


Th". Elyot 


46 






Gardiner 


55 


Heywood 


6- 


Ckanimer— ' 


56 


Leland 


52 




16/A 


S. Cabot 


57 


Gascoigne 


77 


Card. Pole 


r^^ 


Cheke 


57 




N. Bacon 


79 


R. Greene 


92 


Covcrdale 


69 


R. Ascham «■ 


-63 






Leicester 


88 


Marlowe 


93 


J. Jewel 


71 


Holingshed 


81 






Walsinsham 


S'J 


i'outhwell 


95 


Knox 


72 


Buchanan 


S2 






Drake " 


96 


Peele 


97 


J. Fn.x: 


67 


Tus.ser 


a3 






Burleigh 


9S 


Spenser .. — 


98 


Hooker -^ 




P. Sidney — 


86 




1600 








___^ 












Esse.TC 


1 


F. Beaumont 


15 


Andrewes 


26 


Napier ■— 


17 






Raleigh 


1.^ 


SHAKSPEARE-16 


Cbillingvvorth 


— }4 


BACON — 


26 






Strafford 


41 


J. Fletcher 


25 


Usher - 


5G 


Camden 


28 






Pym 


43 


Herbert — 


35 


Walton 


61 


Coke i. 


34 






Hampden 


43 


Ben Jonson. 


37 


Th. Fullerss^ 


61 


■\Viitton 


39 






Falkland 


43 


Massinser 


39 


Taylor ^.>_ 


67 


Burton 


33 






Blake 


57 


G. Sandys 


43 


Barrow ^^ 


77 


Selden 


54 




nth 


Cromwell 


58 


Quarles 


44 


J. Owen -., 


83 


Harvey • — 


57 






Marvell 


78 


Donne 


62 


Leighton — ^ 


84 


Hale 


76 






Monk 


70 


CowIe7 "* 


67 


Pearson 


86 


Harrington 


77 






Clarendon 


72 


MILTON — 


74 


H. Blore 


87 


Hobbes 


79 






Shaftesbury 


83 


Roscommon 


84 


Bunyan -• • 


88 


Th. Browne - 


82 






Russell 


83 


Otwav 


85 


Cudworth 


8S 


Duedale 


86 






Alg. Sidney 


83 


Waller — 


87 


Ba.xter 


91 Sydenham.^ 


69 






Temple 




Butler — • 


88 


Tillolson 


9 1 Boyle , . 


91 




1700 












1 " '■ 
























Cavendish 


7 


Dbi-den ^^^ 


1 


Howe 


5 


LOCKE — 


4 






Godolphin 


12 


Farquhar 


7 


Bull 


9 


Addison 


19 






Somers 


IG 


Parnell 


17 M. Henry 


14 


Sir C. Wren - 


23 






Marlborough 


22 


Rowe 


18 ! Burnet -- 


15 


NEWTON ~ 


27 






Walpole 


46 


Prior "" 


21 ; South -- 


16 


De Foe 


31 






Bolingbroke 


51 


Congreva 


28 Clarke 


29 


Swift 


45 






Vernon 


57 


Gay 


32, Watts 


48 


Fielding 


54 






Wolfe 


50 


P0PE___ 


44 1 Doddridge 


51 


Richardson 


61 






Boscawen 


61 


Thomson — 


4S: Butler- 


52 


Sterne - 


6S 




I8th 


Anson 


62 


Collins 


56 Berkeley 


53 


Hume 


76 






CumberLand 


65 A. Ramsay 


5S Sherlock 


61 


Garrick _, 


79 






Lyllellon 


63 Shenstone , 


63 Lardner 


68 


Blackstone — 


80 






Chatham 


78 Churchill 


64 Whitefield - 


70 


Johnson ._ 


84 






Cook 


79 


Young ~— 


65|Warburton 


79 


Ad. Smith-- 


90 






Roilney 


92 


Akenside 


70 Lowth — 


87 


Hunter 


93 






North 


92 


Gray ■ 


71 


Wesley _ 


91 


Robertson , 


93 






Mansfield 


93 


Goldsmith — 


74 


Price 


91 


Gibbon - 


94 






Burke 


97; Burns -- 


96 


Campbell 


96 


AVm. Jonea . 


94 






Amherst 


98 COWPER 




Blair 




Reid— 


97 




800 








"^ 










Nelson 


5 Bealtie 


3 


Priestley ^ 


4 


Sheridan 


6 






Pill 


6 H. K. White — 


6 


Paley - 


5 


Cavendish 


10 






Fox 


6 Grahame 


11 


Horsley '•" 


6 Playfair - 


19 






Rom illy 


18 Shelley ^ 


22 


Porteus — 


8 E. D. Qarke 


22 






Graltan 


20 ] Byron — . 


^1 


Watson 


16 Herschel - 


22 




Idth 


Erskine 


23lCrabhe 


32 


Th. Scott -^ 


21 Mitford 


27 






Canning 


27 W. Scott— 


32 


R. HaU — 


31 Stewart - 


26 






Huskisson 


30 Coleridge - 


31 


A. Clarke — 


32 Davy 


29 






Eldon 


S^ Southey - 


43 


Arnold 


42 Mackintosh ' 


32 






Grey 


45 Campbell -. 


44 


J. Foster 


44 Wilberforca ^ 


33 





20 



230 ENGLAND. - : 

I 

Remarks on thb Tables of English History and Lite- i 

RATURE. i 

1. Some of the most eminent sovereigns who have occupied the thron*^ 
of England are the following: — Alfred, VVilliam the Conqueror, Heury 
11., Edward I., Edward III., Henry VII., Elizabeth, and William III. ! 

2. The cause of English freedom has been most effectually promoted 
daring some of the weakest and least prosperous reigns; as those of 1 
John, Henry III., Charles I., and James II. '' 

3. Some of the most important political changes, or revolutions, that 
have taken place in England since the Norman Conquest, are the grant- , 
ing of the Magna Charta, or the Great Chaiter, in the time of King' ; 
John ; the establishment of the House of Commons in the time of Henry 
III. ; the Reformation in religion in the reign of Henry VIII. ; the unio;-! i 
of the crowns of England and Scotland at the commencement of the i 
reign of James I.; the civil war between Charles I. and the English -i 
Parliament, which issued in the defeat and execution of the king, and the > 
establishment of the Commonvv'ealth under Cromwell ; the restoration ; 
of the monarchy under Charles II. ; the dethronement or abdication of ; 
James II. ; the accession of William and Mary, and the establishment ' 
of the principles of the Constitution (1688) ; the legislative union be- 
tween England and Scotland in the reign of Q,ueen Anne ; the union 
of Ireland with Great Britain in the reign of George III. (1800) ; and the ^ 
Reform of Parliament in the reign of William IV. (1832). 



1. Chaucer, the most celebrated of the early English poets, flourished i 
in the latter part of the ]4th century, in the reigns of Edward III. and , 
Richard II.; but English classical literature may be considered as begin- \ 
ning in the latter half of the 16th century, during the reign of Elizabeth, ; 
with Hooker, a learned divine, Spenser and Shakspeare, eminent poets, j 
and Bacon, the philosopher, who also lived through the reign of James I. , 
The reign of Queen Anne was particularly distinguished for men of ge- 
nius, among whom were Newton, Addison, Pope, and Sioift. ; 

2. Wolsey and Gardiner, who are placed in the left-hand column, were : 
both ecclesiastics and bishops, though more distinguished as statesmen i 
than as divines. Of those who are placed in the right-hand column. Sir ] 
Thomas More, the author of " Utopia," &c., and Lord Bacon, the phi- ' 
losopher, v/ere both chancellors of England ; Sir Matthew Hale was an 
eminent judge ; Sir Edicard Coke, a great lawyer : — Sir Philip Sidney, '■ 
the author of " Arcadia," &c., Harrington, me author of " Oceana,'"' j 
&c., Sir Henry Wotton, John Selden, and Sir William Jones, all eminocl 
scholars, were also distinguished in political life. 

3. Some who are classed in the Table among statesmen and com- 
msnders are also distinguished as authors, as Raleigh, Clarendon, Boling-r ' 
broke, Lyttleton, Temple, Marvell, Algernon Sydney, Burke, &c. ; some 
classed among the divines and miscellaneous authors are also noted as j 
poets, as Addison, Watts, Swift, &c. ; and some of the poets are also em- i 
inent as prose writers. ; 

4. Shakspeare, the great English dramatist, is eminently distinguished 
for genius ; Milton is regarded as the greatest epic poet of modern times 
hard Bacon pointed out the true mode of philosophizing; the works of 
J^iWton formed an era in natural philosophy and astronomy, as did thos« ; 
of Locke in the philosophy of the human mind. 

5. There are many names of much merit in English literature, in ad 
(Ution to those contained in the 1)1^1^ 






liUROPEAN STATES. 23) 



EUROPEAN STATES. 



The history of the other States of Europe is less interesting 
and important, especially to American readers, than that of 
^England and France. A brief sketch is here given of the 
history of several of che other states; and also a tabular view 
of the succession of the sovereigns of some of the most im- 
portant of them. 



SCOTLAND. 



1. The pretensions of Scotland to a regular succession of 
krfigs, from so remote a period as the time of Alexander the 
Great, are not supported by any credible evidence. — When 
Britain was abandoned by the Romans, A. D. 410, Scotland 
was divided among a number of hostile tribes, the principal 

_of which were the Scots and Picts ; but, between the years 
^838 and 843, Kenneth II. subdued the latter, and became king 
cf all Scotland. 

2. Various contests took place between Scotland and the 
kings of England, the most memorable of which happened in 
tKe reign of Edward L, who conquered the country ; but he 
found able antagonists in the heroic Sir William Wallace and 
Robert Bruce, the latter of whom defeated the English in the 
decisive battle of Bannockhurn, and established himself on the 
throne. 

3. James VI, the infant son of the celebrated Queen Mary^ 
was proclaimed king, after her resignation in 1567, and suc- 
ceeded to he crown of England in 1603 ; since which period 
(he two ca.intries have been governed by one and the same 
monarch ; and this connection was rendered perpetual by the 
union of the two kingdoms, in 1706, during the reign of Queen 
Anne. Since that period, the representative peers of Scotland 
have formed a part of the British House of Lords ; and Scot- 
Ian i has also sent members to the British House of Commons 



5 

232 EUROPEAM STATES 

GERMANY 

i 

1. In 842* the Empire of the West was divided in o lhre« 
monarchies, France, Germany, and Italy ; and at the close of 
the reign of Charles the Fat, in 887, the imperial dignity was 
transferrer", entirely to Germany, which, in European history, I 
is styled, by way of eminence, the Empire, and its subjects, i 
the Imperialists. During more than half of the 10th century, 
it was governed, successively, by two able sovereigns, Henry • 
tfee Fowler, and his son, Otho the Great. The latter reiinited ' 
Italy to the empire, and was the greatest sovereign of the 
age, _ _ : 

2. The reign of Henry IV., sometimes called the Great , 
during the last half of the 11th century, is memorable for his 
quarrel with, and humiliating submission to, pope Gregory VII. 
(Hildehrand). The election of Conrad III. gave rise to two ' 
celebrated factions, the Guelphs and Ghihelines, which harcssed 
Germany and Italy during three centuries ; and during this pe- ; 
riod the imperial authority declined, and the papal increased, i 
The Ghibelines were attached to the emperor ; the Guelphs to \ 
the pope. I 

3. The reign of Fre derick / ., surnamed Barharossa, or Red- ! 
beard, was signalized by his contests with Pope Alexander III., ' 
and by a crusade to the Holy Land, during which he was '• 
drowned in a small river in Cilicia, in 1190 . — After the reign ■ 
of Conrad IV. succeeded a period of contention and confusion, ' 
called the Crreat Interregnum, which, after continuing 19 years, , 
was terminated by the election of Rodolph, Count of Hapsburg, ' 
in Switzerland, to the imperial throne, in 1 g7^ - ' 

4. The principal events in the history of the latter emperors 
of the Franconian line, and of all the princes cf the Swabian \ 
line, were produced by contests between the popes and the 'i 
emperors. The grounds of these contests were, 1st, the right 'i 
claimed by the emperors of nominating to vacant bishoprics, 
and the form of investing the bishops with the temporal pos- i 
sessions of their sees ; 2d, the claims of the popes to hold tbeir ; 
possessions in Italy, independent of the emperors ; 3d, the * 
caim of the popes to supreme dominion, both temporal and ^ 
spiritual, in every part of the Christian world. ' 

5. The reign of Louis IV. was much disturbed by conteslg ! 
with pope John XXII. The emperor was excommunicated I 
by the pope, and his election declared void ; and the pope waa I 
also deposed by the emperor. The princes of the empire as- ' 
sembled at Frankfoi't, in 1 338 , and established the famous con ■ 
stitution called the Pragmatic Sanction^ by which it was de ! 



EUROPEAN STATES. ^'Ji j 

termined that the pope had no right to approve or rejec the 

e'ection of an emperor. * i 

6. The reign of Sigistnund is memorable for the meeting of j 
the famous Council of Constance, in order to determine the | 
contest respecting the papal authority. John Huss and Jerome J 
0/ Proo-?fe were condemned (141.^) by this council, and de- ' 
liverod over to the secular power to be burnt as heretics. ' 
Their adherents in Bohemia took up arms in defence of thei" '■ 
religion, and, under their famous leader, Zisca, resisted Sigis 

mund in a war of 16 years. 

7. Maximilian I. ( 1477 ) acquired by marriage the sov ,1 
ereignty of the Ncthepi^mds, divided Germany into circles, in. j 

■ Blituted the Imperial Chamher and the Aulic Council, and by 
these means established a perpetual peace among the separate 
states, and laid the foundation of the subsequent grandeur of 
che empire. . 1 

8. Cha rles V. [Charles I. of Spam], grandson of Maximil- ' ^ ' 
ian, was the greatest and most powerful sovereign of his age. 

After a reign of nearly 40 years, during most of which he was 

engaged in war, chiefly with his great rival, Francis I. of ' 

France, and raised the house of Austria to its highest splendor, j 

he voluntarily resigned the crown of Spain to his son, Philip ] 

II., in 1556» left the throne of Germany to his brother, Ferdi- \ 

nand, and retired to the monasteiy of St. Just, in Spain, in j 
order to devote himself to the privacy of monastic life, and 

forget the cares of government and the temptations of the i 

world. Dui'ing his reign, the Reformation made great progress 1 

in Germany, which, however, Charles strenuously opposed. ' 

9. The reigns of Ferdinand II. and Ferdinand III. were ■ 1 
signalized by the Thi rty years '' jmnx, which commenced ir ' 

%1618j and was terminated by the peace of Westphalia, in , 
» ^^^^-- This war grew chiefly out of the religious disst nsions ' 
of the 16th century : on one side was the Protestant confed- 
eracy, styled the Evangelical Union , and, on the other, the i 
Catholic League. It issued in securing an equal establishment | 
of the Protestant and Catholic religions. j ^ J { 

10. By the death of Ch arles VI., the male line of the house' ^ \ 
of Hapsburg..became extinct; and the circumstance of there 

be:ng two claimants to the throne gave rise to a war, sty)ed ^ 

Ihe war of the Austrian Succession, which was terminated by j 

the peace of A]x-la-Chapelle, in 1748^ by which the claim of < 

the celebrated Maria Theresa was acknowledged, and her ^ 

consort, Francis oj Lorraine, was invested with the imperial I 

dignity. \ 

11. In 1806, Francis II., who had two years before assumed 'j 
\he title of hereditary Emperov, of Austria, solemnly resigned ' 

20* i 



234 EUROPEAN STATES. \ 

his title as Emperor of Germany. Thus ended the German 
empire, after having lasted, from the commencement of the 
Western Empire under Charlemagne, 1006 years. 

12. The imperial government was hereditary during the 
Carlovingian dynasty ; afterwards, always elective ; but 'he 
mode of election was different at different periods. At first, 
the emperor was chosen by the people at large ; then by the 
nobility and principal officers of state; afterwards, by the fi' e 
following great officers, namely, the chancellor, the great mar- 
shal, the great chamberlain, the great butler, and the great 
master of the palace. At first they assumed the right of only 
proposing candidates to the general body of electors ; but at 
length confined the whole right of election to themselves. — 
After much discontent, this was' finally settled in the reign of 
Charles IV., by the celebrated constitution, called the Golden 
Bull, which fixed the right of election in four spiritual and 
tKree temporal electors, namely, the Archbishops of Mentz, of 
Cologne, and of Treves ; the King of Bohemia ; the Count 
Palatine, the Duke of Saxony, and the Margrave of Branden- 
burg. At subsequent periods, the Dukes of Bavaria and of 
Brunswick-Lunenburg were advanced to the electoral dignity. 

13. In j^Sji ^ a grand national congress, composed of 500 ' 
deputies from all parts of Germany, assembled at Frankfort- j 
on-the-Maine, with the design of framing a constitution, and i 
uniting all the German states under one confederated govern- j 
ment ; but the object was not carried into effect. i 



AUSTRIA. 

1. A-ustria, which was erected into an hereditary empire in 
y 1 804 s one of the leading states in Europe ; and it has been 
one of the great pillars for sustaining arbitrary or absolute 
government. Prince Metternich, an able statesman, late prime 
minister of the empire, had for about 10 years the principal 
direction of the public affairs, and A^as a zealous supporter 
of arbitrarj' power 
\ 2. The revolution which, in 1 848, drove Louis Philippe from 
the throne of France, immediately caused an insurrection at 
Vienna, and swept Metternich from the seat of power which 
he had long held. The emperor Ferdinand soon fled from 
Vienna, and, not long after, abdicated in favor of his nephew, 
Francis Joseph. 



EUROPEAN STATES. 235 

3 The Austrian dominions in the north of Ita'iy soon re 
volted against Austria, and wei'e assisted by Charles Albert^ 
King of Sardinia. A sanguinary contest ensued ; but the Aus- 
trians, under the command of Marshal Radetsky, were tri 
umphant. 

4. The kingdom of Hungary, which forms a large part of 
the Austr an empire, though it has long had a distinct constitu- 
til HI, soon afterwards revolted from Austria, on account of ita 
eonstitution being violated by the latter, declared independence 
(]8i2), and established a provisional government, with Kossuth 
at' its head. 

5. The emperor Nicholas of Russia interposed in favor of 
Austria, sent a powerful army into Hungary, and, after a san- 
guinary and desolating war, the main division of the Hungarian 
army, under Gorgey, was compelled to surrender to Prince 
Paskiewitch, the Russian commander, in August, 1 819 . 

6. In March, 1849, the emperor of Austria issued a liberal 
constitution, which guaranteed political and religious liberty, 
freedom of the press and speech, and a legislative body, 
composed of two houses ; but in 1851,, this constitution waa 
abolished by a decree of the emperor, and despotism was 
reestablished. 



SPAIN. 

1. In the early part of the 5th century, Spain, after havmg 
long been in the possession of the Romans, was invaded by 
the Suevi, Vandals, and Alans, who were, ere long, subdued 
by the Visigoths, or Western Goths. In the early part of the 
8th century, the country was invaded by the Moors or Sara- 
cens, who, under their commander Muza, gained, in^lS, the 
great battle of Xeres, in which Roderick, the Gothic king, 
was slain. 

2 In a few years, the Moors overran the most of the coun- 
try, which, for some time, was governed by viceroys of the 
Saracen Caliphs ; but, in 755, Abderrahman, of the house of 
Ommiades, established an independent sovereignty, and as- 
sumed the title of Caliph of Cordova, which city he made the 
seat of his empire, and also of arts and magnificence ; and hia 
posterity kept possession of the throne nearly three centuries. 
But the territories of the Moors were soon divided into a num- 
ber of separate sovereignties, of which the most considerable 
in the earlier paii of their residence in Spain, was the caliphate 
ef Cordova, and, in the latter part, the caliphate of Granada. 

3. When Spain was first invaded and conquered by the 



236 EUROPEAiN STATES. 

Moors, the Gutliic, or, ris they were now styled, the Chriitiaa 
'brces, rehired into the Asturias, and, under their leader Pela. 
gio, founded a kingdom in 718 ; and they gradually recovered 
other parts of the country. For several centuries, the history 
of Spain presents a continued struggle between the Christians 
and Moors; and the latter part of the 11th century was illus. 
traled by the exploits of the famous Spanish hero, Don Kod- 
rigo Diaz, Count of Bivar, surnamed the Cid. 

4. Several distinct Christian kingdoms, which subsisted for a 
long period, were established, the most considerable of which 
were Castile and Leon, Arragon, and Navarj-e. In 1479, Per- 
dinarid II., who had been previously married to Isabella^ 
Queen of Castile and Leon, succeeded to the throne of Arm- 
gon, and their kingdoms now became united. Granada, the 
only possession now held by the Moors in Spain, was soon 
after taken (1492) ; Navarre was subsequently conquered, 
and all Spain became, for the first time, united into one 
monarchy. 

5. The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella forms an eventful 
period in the history of Spain, on account of military exploits, 
the expulsion of the Moors, the union of the country into one 
kingdom, and the discovery of America (1492), which brought 
an immense accession of wealth to the Spanish crown, and laid 
the foundation for vast colonial possessions in this continent. 

6. During the long reigns of Charles I. [Charles V. of Ger- 
many] and Philip 11. , Spain acted a conspicuous part in the 
affairs of the world, and, on account of her extensive posses- 
sions in both continents, was regarded as the most formidable 
power in Europe ; but, since that period, her comparative con- 
sequence has declined, and she has long held only a secondary 
rank among the European states. The most flourishing period 
of Spanish literature was during the time when the kingdom. 
was governed by princes of the house of Austria, in the 16th 
and 17th centuries. 

7. In 1808, Charles IV. was dethroned by Bonaparte, who 
placed on the throne of Spain his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, 
A sanguinary war ensued, which lasted till 1813; and Ferdi- 
Jiand VII., the son of Charles IV., was established on the 
throne. 

8. ^Vithin the space of ten years, from 1§14 to 1821j fill 
the Spanish colonies on the continent of North and South 
America revolted from Spain, and declared their independ- 
ence. Since that time, the kingdom of Spain has been inucli 
harassed by civil war and political commotion. 



EUROPEAN STATES 237 



PORTUGAL. -^ JL-s 

1. This kingdom forms the greatest part of what was an- 
ciently called Lusilania ; and its early history is involved with 
that of Spain, it having been successively in subjection to the 
Romans^ Suevi, Visigoths, and Moors. 

2. In the contests between the Moors and Christians, Henry, 
Duke of Burgundy, having rendered important services to Al- 
pho7iso, or Alonzo, King of Castile, was rewarded by him, ic. 
l_09jJ4.with that part of Portugal which was not in possession 
ofthe Moors, to be held with the title of count or earl. He 
was succeeded by his son Alphonso, who gained a signal vic- 
tory over the Moors, at Orique, threw off the Castilian yoke, 
and assumed the title of king, in 1139.'»" 

3. The reign of John I., which began m j385, is famous for 
his victories over the Castilians, and his expeditioTis against the 
Moors ; but still more so for the impulse given by Prince Hen- 
ry, the Mariner, to navigation and the progress of discovery 
a department of enterprise and skill in which the Portuguese 
were, for a long time, unrivalled by any other nation. 

4. The reigns of Johi II. and Evuvimel were distinguished 
for important discoveries. During the reign of the former, 
Bartholomew Diaz reached the Cajje of Good Hope,m 1486 ;■* 
and during that ofthe latter, Vasco de Gama, in 1497, doubled 
the same Cape, and sailed to India. From that period, the 
trade between that country and Europe was diverted from its 
former channel through the Red Sea and Egypt ; and for many 
years the navigation of the Cape was considered as the exclu- 
sive property of the Portuguese, on the ground of first discov- 
ery ; nor was their monopoly elTectually invaded till the rise 
of the Dutch. 

5. The space intervening between the commencement of 
the reign of John I. (1385), and the conquest of Portugal by 
Phiiip II. of Spain (1580J7 forms the golden period of the mon 
archy — a period w])IcTi"\vas illustrated by the exploits, both 
in discovery and conquest, of a succession of distinguished 
he'ies, and also by the productions of several men of genius 
and learning, among whom the poet Camoens, the author of 
the Lusiad, who died in 1579, holds the first rank. 

6. In 15S0, the male" line" of the royal family of Portugal 
having become extinct, and the kingdom having suffered a 
series of misfortunes, Philip II. of Spain seized upon it, and 
united it to his crown; but, ini6.4Ql the Spaniards were ex- 
pelled, and John, Duke of Braganza, the presumptive heir 
Was raised to the throne, in whose family it still remains. 



238 EUROPEAN STATES. 

7. Two years after the discovery of the Cape of Good 
Hope, Cahral, a Portuguese, discovered Brazil, which was 
colonized about the middle of the 16th century, and, till lately 
formed an important part of the territories of the kings of 
Portugal. 

8. In 1807, Portugal being invaded by the French, the royaj 
family removed the seat of government to Brazil, where they 
remained till 1820, when they returned to Lisbon, with the ex> 
ception of Pedro or Peter, the king's eldest son, who was left 
regent. In 1823, Brazil was declared an independent empire, 
under Pedro, who took the title of emperor ; and, in 1825, its 
independence was acknowledged by Portugal. In 1826, the 
throne of Portugal became vacant by the death of John VI. 
Pedro, the Emperor of Brazil, resigned his claims to the crown 
in favor of his daughter, Maria da Gloria {Maria II.), who 
was proclaimed queen ; but Miguel, a younger brother of Pe- 
dro, aspired to the throne. After a long struggle he was ex- 
pelled, in 1832, from the Portuguese territories. 



THE NETHERLANDS. 

1. This country, during the Middle Ages, comprised various 
small states, governed by counts or earls. In the ' 15th cen- 
tury, most of the country, which had then become the seat of 
extensive manufactures and the centre of European commerce, 
was possessed by the Duke of Burgundy ; but, in the latter 
part of the century, these provinces were transferred, by the 
marriage of Maximilian, to the house of Austria. 

2. In J..553^_they were resigned by Charles V. to his son, 
Philip IL, King of Spain. In 1579, the Seven United Prov' 
inces of Holland revolted from the tyranny of Philip, and es- 
tablished their independence : part of the others continued in 
the possession of Spain till the peace of Utrecht, inJ713,^when 
they were again ceded to the house of Austria, which held 
them till 1794, when they were conquered by the French. 

3. Soon after the Dutch Provinces had emancipated them- 
welves from Spain, and established their independence and a 
free government, they rose, by industiy and enterpr.'se, to a 
high degree of prosperity, and became one of the most for- 
midable maritime powers m the world. They stripped the 
Spaniards of some of their most valuable establishments in the 
East Indies and America, and extended their commerce in aJJ 
directions. 



EUROPEAN STATES. S39 

4. In 1815, the Seven Provinces, or HoUand, and the ten 
southern or Belgian provinces, were united by the Congress of 
Vienna, and erected into a kingdom, by the name of the Neth- 
eriands, under the government of the Prince of Orange. This 
union continued 15 years. 

5. In 1830, encouraged by the revolution which expelled 
Charles XTffSm France, the Belgians revolted, and established 
a separate kingdom by the name of Belgium ; and Prince 
Leopold of Saxe Coburg, widower of Prmcess Charlotte cf 
England, was raised to the thione. 



POLAND. 



1. Miceslaus, Prince of Poland, introduced Christianity into 
the country in the 10th century. The most flourishing period 
of the monarchy was during the 15th and 16th centuries, when 
Poland ranked among the most formidable states of Europe. 

2. Casijuir III., surnamed the Great, in the 14th century 
founded the University of Cracow, patronized learning, en- 
couraged industry and commerce, and furnished the nation 
with a code of written laws. In the latter part of the 14th 
century, Jagellori [Ladislaiis V.], Duke of Lithuania, by his 
marriage with Hedwiga, Queen of Poland, united the two 
countries. 

3. Under the reign of Sigismund I. (begun in 1507), the 
kingdom reached its highest pitch of dominion and splendor. 
It afterwards declined, but its falling glory was, for a time, up- 
held by JoJm Sobieski, the last great man among its sovereigns 

4. Poland was conquered by the sovereigns of Russia, Aiis 
tria, and Prussia, and subjected by them to three different par- 
titiono*. the first in 1772; the second in 1793; the third in 
1795, when Stanislaus was deprived of regal dignity, and his 
ill fated country, by an act of the vilest tyranny, was blotted 
out from the list of kingdoms. 

5. After the peace of Tilsit, in 1807, the most of Poland 
that had been taken by Prussia was erected into a sovereign 
state, under the thle of the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1815, a 
part of the duchy of Warsaw was given to Prussia, under the 
name of the duchy or province of Posen. Most of the re 
rnainder was erected into the kingdom of Poland, a const'tu 
tional monarchy, vested in a viceroy, appointed by the En» 
peror of Russia. 



240 EUROPEAN STATL3. 

6. The Grand-Duke Constantiiie, brother of the Emj)eroi 
of Russia, being appointed Viceroy of Poland, administered 
the government in the most oppressive manner. In 1830, an 
insurrection broke out, which terminated, after a sanguinary 
struggle, in the entire subjugation of the Poles ; and the king 
dom of Poland was incorporated into the Russian empire. 

7. The emperor Nicholas exercised the utmost severity 
egainst the Poles. The Universities of Warsaw and Wilna,. 
and many minor schools, were abolished, and public I'braries 
and museums were carried to St. Petersburg. 



SWEDEN. 



Y 



1. This country, together with Norway, formed the Scan' 
dinavia of the ancients, long the seat of the Goths and Van- 
dais. — In 1388, Sweden became subject to Margaret of Den- 
mark, styled the Semiramis of the North, who joined the three 
kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in one, by the 
Union of Cahnar, in 1397. But her successor being destitute 
of her great abilities, this union fell to nothing, and Sweden 
was, for a long time, disturbed by insurrections and war. 

2. In the early part of the 16th century, the Swedes were 
delivered from the oppression of Christian II., King of Den- 
mark, styled the Nero of the North, by Gustavus Vasa, a 
descendant from the ancient kings, and an enlightened prince, 
who was raised to the throne in 1523, and who promoted the 
welfare of his subjects, and introduced the Protestant religion. 

3. The reign of Chistavus Adolphus, surnamed the Great, 
forms a distinguished era in the history of Sweden. He was 
faninent as a statesman and a sovereign, and is ranked among 
!he gi-eatest commanders of modern times. He took part with 
{he Protestants in the Thirty years'' icar, and was their most 
distinguished general. After having gained a series of advan- 
tages, he was slain in the battle of Lutzeti, in 1632. 

4. Charles XII., who possessed an enthusiastic passion foi 
glory, and a romantic spirit to a degree of infatuation, is bj 
some styled the Alexander, and by others the Mad?nan, of tin 
North. After a brilliant career of victory in his wars with 
the Danes, Poles, and Russians, he was, at last, entirely de 
feated by Peter the Great, in the battle of Poltava, in 1709 ^ 
since which, the Swedish territories have been exposed to a 
progressive reduction by the rising power of Russia. 



EUROPEAN STATES. 241 

5. Gustavus IV., having lost Finland, which was conquered, 
in 1^08, by Russia, and, by his mad schemes, brought hi? king- 
dom to the brink of ruin, was, in 1809, deposed, and Berna- 
dolte, one of Bonaparte's marshals, was elected crown prince. 
In 1814, the loss of Finland was repaired by the acquisition of 
IS'orwm/. 

6. On the death of Charles XIIL, in 1817, Bernadotte wa3 
raised to the throne by the title of Charles XIV., and, after a 
pacific and prosperous reign of 26 years, was succeeded, in 
I S 1 1, by his son Oscar. 



DENMARK. 

1. In 1448, the crown of Denmark fell to Christian I., of the 
house of Holstein or Oldenburg. The monarchy was origi- 
nally elective, and great power was possessed by the nobility 
until the year 1660, when, partly in consequence of the un- 
favorable issue of a war with Sweden, and partly on account 
of the oppression of the aristocracy, it was changed to an 
hereditary absolute government. 

2. In the beginning of the 18th century, Denmark, during 
the reign of Frederick IV., waged an unsuccessful war against 
Charles XII. of Sweden, which was ended in 1720 ; from which 
time the country enjoyed almost uninterrupted peace till 1801. 

3. During the pacific reigns of Clirisfian VI. and Frederick 
V. (1730 to 1766), the kingdom was in a prosperous condition. 
The latter was assisted by Count Bernstojf, a distinguished 
statesman, whose nephew, of the same name, acted an impor- 
tant and conspicuous part in government, during the reign of 
Christian VII. 

4 Christian VII. (1766), a weak and dissolute prince, mur- 
rifid Caroline Matilda, sister of George III. of England, who 
was accused of having had improper connection with Count 
Struensee, the minister and favorite of the king. Struensee 
was condemned and executed, and Matilda, after being impris- 
oned, was permitted to pass the remainder of her life at Zell, 
in Hanover. 

5. In 1801, Copenhagen was attacked by a British fleet un- 
der Lord Nelson'; and in 1807, when the countiy was at peace, 
the city was bombarded by a British armament, under Lord 
Cathcart and Admiral Gamhier, under pretence that informa- 
tion had been received that Denmark intended to throw herself 
into the scxle of France. The whole Danish fleet, consisting 
21 



242 EUROPEAN STATES. 

of 18 ships of tl" e line, and 15 frigates, were suriendered ta 
the British. This unjust transaction has been generally and 
loudly exclaimed against. 

6. In January, 1848, Frederick VII. succeeded to the throne 
of Denmark ; the duchies of Sleswick and Holstein soon re 
volted ; but, after a severe and sanguinary struggle, they were 
reduced to their allegiance. 



PRUSSIA. ^^ >C 

1. The foundation of Prussian greatness was laid by Frea- 
erick William., surnamed the Great Elector., who succeeded to 
the government in 1640, and had a long and prosperous reign. 
His successor Frederick., a weak and vain prince, was raised 
to the rank, and received the title, of king, in 1701. 

2. Frederick II., surnamed the Great, after suffering much 
hard treatment from his father, ascended the throne in 1740 j;^ 
and, being ambitious of conquest and military glory, he imme- 
diately invaded Silesia, with a fine army, which had been left 
to ium by the late king, and was so successful as to obtain the 
cession of that valuable province. 

3. Ill 1756j Frederick published a declaration of war against 
Maria Theresa, Empress of Germany, who was aided by the 
French and Russians. The contest, which was carried on with 
great spirit on both sides, and was signalized by many hard- 
fought and bloody battles, was terminated by the peace of 
Hubertsherg, in 1763 : " and thus, after a seven years' sangui- 
nary struggle, to which his unprincipled projects had given 
rise, and in which, independent of other sufferers, more than 
half a million of combatants had fallen in the field, everything 
was replaced on its ancient footing, and the only gainful resull 
was simjily this, that Frederick of Prussia had been furnished 
wilh an opportunity of proving himself a consummate com- 
mander, animated by an unconquerable spirit of military her- 
oism, and endued with one of the coolest heads and hardest 
hearts in Christendom." 

4. Frederick afterwards applied himself to the internal im- 
provement of his kingdom ; rebuilt towns, encouraged agricul- 
ture, manufactures, and commerce. In the first partition of 
Poland, he was the prime mover and the principal agent. He 
IS esteemed one of the greatest commanders of modern times, 
and was, perhaps, the most indefatigable sovereign that evei 



EUROPEAN STATES. 243 

existed. He was fond of literature, and possessed extensive 
literary acquirements, and considerable merit as an author ; 
out he was despotic in his disposition, and had little sense of 
justice or humanity. 

5. In the European war which followed the French revolu 
tion, Frederick William III. suffered a great defeat by the 
French, under Bonaparte, at Jena^ in 1806,; and at the peace 
of Tilsit^ in _1802, he lost nearly one half of his territories. 
_n 1813, he joined the coalition against France, and his army, 
under Blucher, contributed a powerful aid in the overthrow of 
Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo ; and by the treaty of 
Vienna, in 1815, he gained a large accession of territor}^, 
Since the treaty of Vienna, the condition of Prussia has been 
in various respects much improved, especially in regard to 
education ; and it is now one of the best educated states in 
Europe. 

6. In 1840, Frederick William HI. was succeeded by hia 
son, Frederick William IV., whose reign, especially during the 
years 1848^and 1849, has been characterized by political agi- 
tations and convulsions. Earnest and repeated demands were 
made by the people for a more liberal form of government , 
and, in 1848, a new constitution was proclaimed, which guar- 
antees political and religious liberty, the freedom of the press, 
the abolition of all aristocratic privileges, and a legislative body 
of two houses. 



V^' 



RUSSIA. 



1, The importance of Russia, which is now one of th? most 
powerful sovereignties of Europe, is of recent origin. The 
foundation of its greatness was laid by Peter the Great, whu 
reigned from 1^Q6 to 1725, and who was one of the most ex* 
traordinary princes that ever appeared. He joined in a coali- 
tion against Charles XII. of Sweden, and, after suffering some 
defeats, gained the great battle of Poltava (1709% and en- 
larged ana otrenglhened his empire. 

2. Catharine II., who obtained the sceptre, in VjlSSL^hy the 
dethronement and murder of her husband, Peter III., had a 
long and splendid reign. She displayed extraordinary talents 
for government ; carried on the system of improvement which 
had been begun by Peter the Great ; employed able ministers 
and generals, among the most celebrated of whom were Su 
warrow and Potemkin ; and enlarged her empire by the ad. 



244 EUROPEAN STATES. 

dition of a part of Poland, the Crimea, and^ther territories 
— but her public character was stained^ byfunprincipled am 
oition, profound dissimulation, and disregfird to justice ; and 
her private character was extremely licentious. 

3. Catharine was succeeded, in 1796, by her son Paul, who, 
after a short and distracted reign, was assassinated in-iS^ij 
and succeeded by his son Alexander, a popular and prosperous 
sovereign, during whose reign the power and dominions of 
Russia were extended, and objects of public improvement pro- 
mC'ted. In 1812, Bonaparte made his disastrous invasion of 
Kussia an tl here met with the first effectual check to his careei 
of victory and conquest. 

4. In 182^ Alexander was succeeded by his brother Nich- 
olas, the present em.peror, whose reign has been distinguished 
for the wars carried on against the Turks, Persians, Circas- 
sians, Poles, and Hungarians. The war against Turkey was 
declared in April, l^|^-and the Russian army soon after in- 
vaded the Turkish dommions, took j}railow,S/'arna, and vari- 
ous other important posts. During tl?e campaign of 1829, the 
Russians, commanded by Count, Diebitsch, after having taken 
^ili^ia and other places, crossed the^Balkat;J|^ountains, took 
the city of SLdriaiwrple, and compelled the Turks to accede to 
their conditions of peace ; and in September, lg;29. a treaty 
was signed at Adrianople. 

5. In 183(9, a general insurrection of the Poles, who were 
goaded and oppressed by the tyranny of their viceroy, the 
Grand-Duke Constantine, was crushed, by the capture of Wai-- 
saw, in 183J^. Many thousand Poles were banished to Siberia ; 
the kingdom of Poland was incorporated with Russia, and gov- 
erned as a conquered province. 

6. Iu,1848, the Emperor of Russia sent a powerful army to 
assist the Emperor of Austria to put down the insurrection of 
the Hungai'ians. Russia is a powerful military despotism, with 
a, standing army of 800,000, a most formidable enemy to fret) 
government. 



ROME. 

1, The temporal power of the pope [Stephen 7 J.] com 
menced inJiS^ and it attained its zenith in the 11th century, 
during the pontificate of Gregory VII. [Hildebrar.d], who as. 
sumed authority over kings and potentates, 

2. Tne first half of the 16lh century is a memorable era m 



EUROPEAN STATES. 243 

the history of the papacy. Pope Julius IL, the j.rojectoi' of 
the League of Cambray, was distinguished as a statesmun and 
a warrior; and his successor, Leo X., the son of the famous 
Lorenzo de Medici, was a liberal patron of learning. During 
his pontiticate, the Reformation was begun by Luther, in LSIJ^ 
Since that event, the power of the Roman pontitf has been 
greatly diminished. 

3. In^lJi^JliU, Bonaparte united the Ecclesiastical States to the 
French empire, and the temporal power of the pope was foi 
a while suspended ; but, by the Congress of Vienna, he was re- 
instated in nearly all his former possessions. | '-^ ; 

4. The Roman government has long been one of the most 
despotic in Europe. In 1846, Pius IX. was elected pope ; and 
he soon manifested a disposition to promote reform, and to 
grant to his subjects a more liberal government than they had 
before enjoyed ; and he was for a time highly popular, 

5. But the I'evolution in France, and the political movements 
in other parts of Europe, in 184i § . wei'e soon felt at Rome, and 
the people made more demands on the pope than he was dis- 
posed to grant. At length they deposed him from his temporal 
power, and established a republican government. Pope Pius, 
disguised as a servant, fled to Gaeta, in the kingdom of Naples. 

6. The French government sent an army, which, after a se- 
vere bombardment, entered Rome on the 3d of .1 uly, l^^S' P^' 
down the republican government, and prepared the way for 
the pope to return, and be reinstated in his former authority. 



\\ * nn) TURKEY. 

1, The Turks are a Tartar nation, originally from Asia. 
The first notice of them in history is about the year SQQ, 
when, issuing from an obscure retreat, they took possession 
o( a part of Armenia, called, from them, Turcomania. Their 
dominions, divided for some time into petty states, were unit(;d 
under Oihman. Ottoman, or Osman, who assumed the title of swi- 
Ian, and established his empire at Prusa, in Bithynia, in IgSS* 

2. In L360, the most of Thrace was conquered by them 
under Amurath /., who made Adrianople the seat of his gov- 
ernment ; his successor, Bajazei, conquered most of the East- 
ern or Greek empire ; and, in 1453* Mahomet II. took CoU' 
stantinople, which has ever since continued to be the seat of 
the Ottoman or Turkish empire. 



246 EUROPEAN STATES 

3. The Turks afterwards widely extended their empire ir 
Europe, Asia, and Africa, and gained possession of the greatei 
part of the countries most celebrated m ancient history. Dur- 
ing the reign of Selim I., Syria and Egypt were conquered. 
The reign of Solyman the Magnificent, which began in 1 ^ 2 , 
was more illustrious than that of any other of the sultans. iTe 
took the island of Rhodes from the Knights of St. John, be- 
sieged Vienna, made the King of Hungary his tributary, re- 
duced Bagdad, conquered the whole of Assyria, Mesopotan ia, 
and Tunis, and established excellent laws in his dominions. 

4. Since the reign of Solyman, the Turks have been engaged 
in various sanguinary wars, particularly with the Austrians, 
Russians, and also with the Persians under Kouli-Khan. 

5. The Turkish power has lately been much weakened, in 
consequence of the revolt of the Greeks, and also of the ca- 
lamitous war with Russia, which was terminated by the peace 
of Adrianople, in 1825. 

6. The Greeks commenced an open revolt in 1821. After 
a war had been for a considerable time carried oii/wifh savage 
ferocity, between them and the Turks, several European na- 
tions interposed in their favor ; and, in 1827, the combined 
fleets of England, France, and Russia, almbsfannihilated the 
Turkish naval force in the battle of Navarino. In 1828, the 
Morea, and a part of the Greek islands, being liberated from 
Turkish thraldom, were formed into an independent govern- 
ment, under Cou7it Capo d'lstria as president ; and, in 1832,^ 
they were erected into a kingdom, and Otho, son of the Fate 
King of Bavaria, was placed on the throne of the kingdom of 
Gretcc, 



EUROPEAN STATES. 



a*7 



Sovereigns op Germany, Spain, Sweden, Prussia, and Rcs8ia,| 


y Since the Beginning of the Fifteenth Century. ' 


A. D. 


Germany. 


Spain. ' 


Sweden. 


Prussia. 


Russia. 


1400 
























Emperors. 


Kings. 


Kings. 


Electors. 


Czars. 


\5th 


93 Alaxiinilian 
I. 


79 Ferdinand 
and Isabella 








1500 
























19 Charles V. 


4 Philip and 


23 Gustavus 








58 Ferdinand I. 


Joanna 


Vasa 


35 Jcfcchim II. 


38 John Basil , 




6-1 Maximilian 


16 Charles I. 


60 Eric XIV. 




' 


leth 


II. 


56 Philip II. 


68 John HI. 


72 John George 


84 Thecdore ■ i 




75 Rodolphll. 




92 Sigismund 


93 Joachim 


97 Boris Goda 


1600 




98 Philip m. 


99 Charles IX. 


Frederick 


now 






















5 Theodc re 




12 Matthias 




11 Gustavus 


8 Sigismund 


6 Zuski 




19 Ferdinand 


21 Philip IV. 


Adolphus 


19 GeorgeWm. 


13 Michael 




II. 




32 Christina 


40 Frediirick 


Theodore 


nth 


37 Ferdinand 




54 Charles X. 


Wm. 


45 Alexis 




III. 




60 Charles XI. 




76 Theodore 




58 Leopold 


65 Charles U. 


97 Charles Xn. 


88 Frederick 

m. 


82 John 

Emperors 
96 Pe.ier I. 


1700 


























Philip V. 




Kings. 






5 Joseph I. 




18 Ulrica Eleo- 


1 Frederick I. 


25 Catherine 




11 Charles VI. 




nora 


13 Frederick 


27 Peter U. 






24 Louis 


41 Frederick 


Wm. I. 


30 Anne 




42 Charles VII. 


46 Ferdinand 


51 Adolphus 


40 Frederick 


40 John 


Idth 


45 Francis I. 


VI. 


Frederick 


II. 


41 Elizabeth 




65 Joseph II. 


59 Charles IE. 


71 Gustavus 


86 Frederick 


62 Peter III. 








III. 


Wm. II. 


62 Cavherine 




90 Leopold II. 


88 Charles TV. 


92 Gustavus 


97 Frederick 


11. 


1800 


92 Francis II. 




IV. 


Wm, III. 


96 Paul 


AOSTRIA. 


8 Ferdinand 


9 Charles 




1 Alexander 




6 Francis 


VII. 


XIII. 










30 IsabeUa H. 


18 Charles 




25 Nicholas 


19/A 


35 Ferdinand 




XIV. 


40 Frederick 






48 Francis Jo- 




{Bernadotte) 


Wm. IV. 






seph 




44 Oscar ' 1 



Crermany. — Germany formed a part of the Empire of the PTesi, under 
Charlemagne, in 800. In 887, the imperial dignity was transferred to Ger- 
many, which continued to retain the title of Empire till 1806, when it was 
dissolved. Francis II., emperor of Germany, assumed, in 1804, the title of 
Emperor of Austria ; and this title is retained by his successors. 

Spain. — Ferdinand II., who had previously married Isabella, queen of 
Castile and Leon, succeeded to the throne of AiTagon in 1479, and Spain, 
It that time, became united into one monarchy. 

Sweden. — Gustavus Vasa, who was descended from the ancient kings 
of Sweden, was, after a revolution, proclaimed king. In 1818, Bernadotte, 
a French marshal, was raised to the throne, by the title of Charles XIV. 

Prussia. — Prussia was erected into an electorate in 1415, and into a 
kingdom in 1701. 

Russia. — The sovereigns were formerly styled czars ; and the same 
title is still often applied to them. Peter the Great, who succeeded to tha 
flmme in 1696, assimied the title of Emperor. 



248 



EUKOPEAN STATES. 



Names distinguished in Italian, Ekench, Spanish, Geeman, | 




&C., LiTEEATUEE. 






A. D. 


Italian. 


*« 
^ 


French. 


"3 


Spanish and 
Portuguese. 


•^ 
^ 


German, Dulch."^ 
&c. ''-S 


1300 




































*Dante > 


21 






*Lobeira 


25 






Htk 


*Petraech ' 
Boccaccio > 


74 
75 


W. Durana > 
W. Occam i 


33 

47 


Juan Manuel 


62 






1400 


















§Po?5io 


59 


§Froissart 


2 


*Ayala 


7 


John Huss » 


15 




jEiieas Sylvi 


64 


Johi Gerson , 


29 


*Villena 


34 


Guttenberg 


63 


IBth 


*Pulci 


87 


*Chartier 


58 


*Juan de Mena 


56 


Th. d Ktmpis 


*71 




Mii'andola 


94 






*L. de Mendoza 58 


Regiomontanua 76 1 


1500 


















tRAPHAEL t 


20 


§P. de Cominea 


9 


Ximenes * 


17 


Reuchlin 


22 




tLoPB DE Vinci, 20 


Budaeus 


40 


*Garcilasso 


36 


tAlb. Durer 


28 




SMachiavel, 


2S 


Bucer 1 


51 


*Boscan 


43 


Zuingliua i* 


31 




*Ariosto • 


33 


ilabelais 


53 


Loyola > 


56 


Erasmus c 


36 




tCorreggio 


34 


J. C. Scaliger 


58 


*Saa de Miranda 58 iParacelsus 


41 


16/A 


JGuicciardini 


40 


R. Stephens 


59 


*Montemayor 


61 1 Copernicus < 


43 




§Bembo 


47 


Castalio t 


63 


*Camoens i. 


79 


LUTHEIU 


46 




tM. Angelo, 


&4 


CALVIN^ 


64 


tMorales 


86 


tHolbein 


54 




tTitian 


76 


Ramus » 


72 


fVargas 


90 


Sltidan 


56 




Palladio 


80 


Montaigne 


92 


*Lui3 de Leon 


91 


Melancthon r 


60 




*Tasso " 


95 


H. Stephens 


98 


*Ercilla 




Mercator 


94 


1600 




































*Giiarini 


13 


Beza^ 


5 


*Argen3ola 


13 


Tycho Brahe 


1 




Bdlarmine » 


21 


§Thuanu3 


17 


Cervantes », 


16 


Arminius \ 


19 




^Father Paul 


23 


*Malherbe 


28 


§Mariana 


24 


Buxtorf 


21 




§pavila 


31 


Jansenius \ 


38 


§Herrera 


25 


Kepler ) 


31 




*Tassoiii 


35 


Descartes ^ 
Gassendi 


50 


*G6ngora 


27 


tRubens 


41 




Galileo * 


42 


55 


*Lope de Vega 


35 


tVandyck 


41 


17 th 


fGuido 


42 


Pascal .v 


62 


*Quevedo 


45 


Episcopitts \ 


43 




%Bentevoglio \ 


44 


tPoussin 


65 


fVelazquez 


60 


Grotius * 


45 




Torricelli 


47 


*MoLtERE V 


73 


*Calderon 


67 


fRenibrandt 


68 




L. Socinus> 


62 


tClaude Lor. 


82 


*Villega3 


69 


Spinoza 


77 




tBernini 


80 


*G0RNEILLE * 


84 


tMurillo 


85 


Guerickij 


86 




Borromeo \ 


94 


*La Fontaine 


95 


§Soli3 


86 


Puffendoif 


94 


1700 


Malpighi 


94 


*Racine f 


99 


Molinos > 


96 


Huyghens 


95 


P. Socinus 


4 


%Bossuet 


4 


*Candamo 


4 


Leibnitz 


16 




Cassini 


12 


§Bayle 


6 


SFerreras 


35 


Vitringa 


22 




tMaratti 


13 


*B0ILEAa 


11 


*Ereiceyra 


44 


Stahl 


34 




Gravina 


18 


*Fenelon 


15 


*Montiano 


53 


Le CltTC 


36 




infuratori 


50 


Massillon 


42 


Luzan 


54 


Boerhaave 


38 




*Maffei 


55 


Le Sage 


47 


Moratin 


80 


Bernouilli 


48 


\8th 


Goldcmi 


72 


Montesquieu 


55 


*Huerta 


87 


Woltf • 


54 




*iMetastasio 


82 


*V0LTAIRE 


78 


*Iglesia8 


91 


hMoshdm, 


55 




Boscovilch 


87 


Rousseau 


78 


*Yriarte 


91 


fiwedenboTS 


.-72 




§Tirab03chi 


94 


D'.41embert 


83 Gonzalez 


94 


Haller 


77 




Bescaria 


95 


Buffon ^■ 


88Ulloa 


95 


LlNN^ffiUS . 


7i 




Gal van. 


98 


Condorcet 


94 *Forner 


97 


Lessing, 


81 




Spallanzani 


99 


Lavoisier 


94 Cruz y Cano 




Euler 


63 


1800 
































*Alfien - 


3 


Fourcroy 


9 *Cienfueg03 


9 


Lavater . 


1 




SUenin 


13 


La Grange 


13:Jovellano3 


11 


*Klop3tock -- 


3 




Caiiova ~ 


22 


De Stael »»-> 


17iMelendez 


17 


Kant • • 


4 


nek 


Voila 


27 La Placb — 


27i§Llorente 


23 


♦Schiller . 


5 




*Fgsco1o 


27 ChampoUion - 


32iMoratin 


28 


♦Wieland 


13 




*"\Tonli 


28 CUVIER- 


32,Navarrete 




*Goethe 


32 




5Bolla 


37 Chateaubriand - 


48|Escoiquiz 




Berzelius 


48 



♦ Poets ; t Painters : § Historians : those in Italics Divines. 



EUROPEAN STATES. 249 



Remarks on the preceding Table. 

Italy. In the revival of learning in modem times, Italy has the honor 
of having taken tlie lead. The 14th century was illustrated by the cele- 
brated poets, Dante and Petrarch; and by Boccaccio., an eminent prosb 
writer; and, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Italian genius in literature 
and the fine arts shone forth with great lustre, under the liberal ])atron- 
age of the wealthy houses of Medici and Este. This period was illustrated 
bj the poets, Ariosto and Tasso; by the artists, Raphael, Da Vinci, Micl.ad 
Angela, &c. ; by the historians, Macchiave.l, GuicciarcUni, and many othei 
men of genius. Of the Italian astronomers, the most eminent is Galileo. 

France. Literature began to flourish in France in the early part of tlio 
IGth century, under the patronage of Francis I. This century was illus- 
trated by the names of Calvin, Scalif/er, Stephe7is, Ramus, ilonlai'jne, &c. 

The most brilliant period of French literature was during the long reign 
of Louis XIV., in the hrfter half of the 1 7th and the early part of the 1 8th 
centuries, during which France produced more men, eminent in literature 
and the arts, than any other country, some of whom arc Pascal, distin- 
guished for genius and attainments in science ; Molicre, Corneille, Racine, 
and Boileau, eminent poets ; Fcneton, author of the Telemachus ; Bossuet, 
Bourduloiie, and Massillon, eloquent preachers. 

The most eminent French' poet, since Boileau, is Voltaire. Some of he 
greatest French mathematicians and astronomers are Descartes, Gassendi, 
ly Alenibert, Condorcet, La Grange, and La Place ; some of the naturalists, 
Buffon and C'uvier. 

Spain. The principal poetical productions of Spain, before the com- 
mencement of the 16th century, were the romances of the Cid, a reno'ivned 
Spanish hero. The earliest of the classical school of Spanish poets are 
Garcilaso and Boscan; the most eminent dramatic poets, Lope de Vega and 
Calderon ; the most distinguished name in Spanish literature, Cervantes, 
author of Don Quixote ; the most eminent historians, Mariana, Herrera, 
and Solis. — Camoens0t\i& author of the Lusiad, is the most distinguished 
poet of Portugal. 

Germany. Germany has given birth to a succession of eminent scholars 
and philosophers since the Refonnation ; and has, for some time past, pro- 
duced a greater numbei' of learned authors than any other country. The 
Germans claim the merit of many important inventions, as gunpowder, 
printing, watches, the air-pump, and the telescope. Copernicus of Thorn, 
near the borders of Germany, was the restorer of the true system of the 
world. Luther is noted as the great reformer. Some o." the most emitient 
German philosophers and men of science, are Kepler, Leibnitz, Woljf, and 
Kant; some of the most eminent poets, Klopstock, Schiller, and Goethe. 

Sweden. Some of the eminent men of Sweden may be mentioned,— 
Linnceiis, distinguished for his attainments in botany ; Swe.ienlorg io 
science and theology ; Scheele and Berzelius, in chemistry. 

Holland. Holland has produced many men pf learning, among whonj 
are Erasm^is, the most celebrated scholar of his age, and one of the prin- 
cipal restorers of learning ; Grotius, Vossius, and Le Clerc, eminent schol- 
ars ; Huyghens, a great mathematician ; and Boerhaave, a distingoisbed 
ihysieidb. 



AMERICA. aSfi 

and what had been, during the preceding century, an onject 
of investigation, namely, the discovery of a more expeditious 
and convenient passage to the East Indies than through Egypt. 
In 1519, Magellan, a Portuguese in the service of Spain, 
passed the straits which bear his name, and launched into the 
vast ocean, which he called Pacific; but he lost his life at one 
of the Philippine islands ; yet his officers proceeded on the 
voyage, and accomplished, for the first time, the circMmnavi" 
giiion of the globe. 

17. John Cabot, a Venetian by birth, but an inhabitant of 
Fl.'istol, in England, received a commission from Henry VII.^ 
and sailed in the beginning of May, 1497, on a voyage of dis- 
coveiy, accompanied by his son, Sebastian Cabot ; and one or 
both of them discovered the continent of North America, the 
year before the main land of South America had been discov- 
ered by Columbus, and two years before it had been seen by 
Americus. 

18. The land first- seen was called Prima Vista, which is 
supposed to have been a part of Newfoundland. They pro- 
ceeded further to the north, in search of a passag e to India , 
but finding no appearance of one, they tacked a'bout, and 
sailed as far as Florida. They erected crosses along the 
coast, and took a formal possession of the country in behalf 
of the crown of England. This was the foundation of the 
English claim to North America, though no settlements were 
formed till many years after. 

19. Several years passed away, from the time of the first 
discovery of America by Columbus, before any considerable 
settlement was formed by the Spaniards, on the continent. In 
1519, Fernando Cortes, with a fleet of eleven small vessels, 
having on board 663 men, sailed from Cuba for the invasion 
of Mexico, and landed at Vera Cruz. As fire-arms were not 
yet in general use, only 13 of the men had muskets, the rest 
being armed with cross-bows, swords, and spears. Cortes had 
glso 10 sm'ill field-pieces, and 16 horses, — the first of these 
animals ever seen in that countiy. 

20. Cortes proceeded first to Tlascala, the capital of a small 
republic, hostile to Mexico ; and here he induced 6,000 war- 
riore to join him, and accompany him to the city of Mexico. 
On his arrival, he was courteously received by Montezuma, the 
Mexican emperor. Soon after, Cortes perfidiously seized Mon 
tezuma in his palace, and carried him to his own quarters, where 
he was kept more than six months as a prisoner. At length, 
the Mexicans, exasp'-ated by the cruelties of the Spaniards, 
took measui'cs to avenge themselves ; and, in the contest which 
Colic wed, Montezuma was wounded by his own subjects, ana 



256 AMERICA. 

soon afterwards died. The Spaniards, after a sangu taarj 
struggle, were driven from the city, with the loss of half theii 
men and all their muskets and ai'tillery. 

21. Cortes, with the shattered remnant of his army, retreated 
to Tlascala, pursued by an immense host of Mexicans, whom 
he routed in the gi'eat battle of Otumha. At Tlascala, he re- 
ceived some reinforcements of Spaniards, and raised a large 
army of Indians from the nations hostile to the Mexicans. A 
the head of these forces, he marched against Mexico, where 
Gnatimozin, a. nephew of Montezuma, had been elo^cted em- 
peror ; and, after a siege of nearly three months, he captured 
the city, and seized Guatimozin, who was treated with the 
greatest cruelty, and finally put to death. Thus was the great 
empire of Mexico overthrown by a handful of daring and un- 
principled adventurers. 

22. In 1518, the Spaniards formed a settlement at Panavia, 
on the west side of the gulf of Darien. From this place 
several attempts were made to explore the regions of South 
America ; and hence Pizarro sailed on an expedition, in 1525, 
and discovered the rich and flourishing kingdom of Peru. He 
afterwards obtained from Charles V., the King of Spain, a 
commission as governor of the country, and a military force 
to subdue it; and for this purpose, in 1531, he sailed from 
Panama, with three small vessels and 180 men. 

23. With this little band he invaded the country, marched to 
the residence of the inca^ or king, Atabalipa, and having in- 
vited him to a friendly interview, and attempted to persuade 
him to embrace the Christian religion, he seized him as a pris- 
oner ; and, by his order, his men fell upon the defenceless and 

-unresisting attendants of the monarch, and slew upwards of 
4,000 of them. 

24. The Peruvian monarch, in order to procure his release 
caused the i-oom in which he was confined, which was 22 feet 
by 17, to be filled, for Pizarro, with vessels of gold and silver, 
as high as he could reach. The treasure, which was collected 
from various parts of the empire, amounted, in value, to up- 
wards of £1,500,000; and this large sum was divided among 
the conquerors. But the perfidious Spaniard still held the inca 
prisoner ; and Almagro having joined Pizarro with a reinforce- 
ment, they brought the monarch to trial, and, on a charge of 
being a usurper and an idolater, condemned and executed him ! 

25. The Spanish chiefs not long after quarrelled with each 
other, and a civil war ensued. Almagro was ta^en prisoner, 
condemned, and executed ; and, soon after, Pizarro was assas- 
sinated. The Indians took advantage of these contentions, 
and, under Uieir new inca, Huanca Capac, rose against the 



AMERICA. 25*7 

Spaniards; but they were at last subdued (1532), and I'tju 
became a province of Spain. 

26. At the time of the invasion of the Spaniards, the Peru 
vians and Mexicans had made considerable progress towards 
civilization, much more than the rest of the Indians. They 
understood the arts of architecture, sculpture, mining, and 
working the precious metals ; cultivated their land, were 
clothed, and had a regular system of government, and a code 
of civil and religious laws. The Peruvians had the superiority 
in architecture, and possessed some magnificent palaces and 
temples. They worshipped the sun as the Supreme Deity, 
and their religion had few of those sanguinary traits which 
werti characteristic of that of the Mexicans. 

27. In 1524, Francis I. of France, willing to share a part 
of the new world with his neighbors, commissioned Verrazano 
on a voyage of discovery. This navigator explored a great 
part of the coast of North America. Ten years afterwards, 
James Cartier set out on a similar expedition, sailed up the 
gulf of St. Laxorence, took possession of the country in behalf 
of the king, and styled it New France ; but the name was 
afterwards changed to Canada. 

28. In 1584, the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, under a 
commission from Queen Elizaheth, to discover, occupy, and 
govern " remote, heathen, and barbarous countries," not pre- 
viously possessed by any Christian prince or people, arrived in 
America, entered Pamlico Sound, and proceeded to Roanoke 
island, near the mouth of Albemai'le Sound, and took posses- 
sion of the country. On his return to England, he gave such 
a splendid description of the beauty and fertility of the region, 
that Elizabeth, delighted with occupying so fine a territory, 
gave it the name of Virginia, as a memorial that this happy 
discovery was made during the reign of a virgin queen. 

29. Several attempts were made to form settlements in Vir- 
ginia, by Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, and Sir 
Richard GrenviUe, but they all proved unsuccessful ; and part 
of the colonists were carried back to England, part of them 
perished by disease, and part were destroyed by the Indians. 

3 \ It was the practice of Europeans to take possession of 
the nrts of America which they visited, by the pretended 
righ 3f discovery. The original inhabitants were treated as 
if tksy had no rights, and were no more owners of the soil 
than the beasts of the forest. This example was set by Co- 
himbus himself. He landed upon St. Salvador, the first island 
discovered, in a gorgeous dress, with a drawn aword in his 
22* 



258 AMERICA 

hand, an 1 the royal standard displayed, and took possession cf 
the island for the crown of Castile and Leon ; and in con« 
formity to this practice, it was inscribed on his tomb, that to 
this crown he " had given a new world." 

31. The pope, in accordance with principles that were acted 
upon in an age of ignorance and superstition, granted to the 
sovereigir? of Spain the countries discovered by their subjects 
m the new world. The propagation of Christianity was held 
out as the chief reason for taking possession of Ameiica an'l 
the promotion of a religion which breathes " peace on earth 
and good-will towards men," was made the pretext for every 
species of injustice, cruelty, bloodshed, and slavery, which the 
defenceless inhabitants of America were destined to experi 
ence from Cortes, Pizarro, and other unprincipled invaders. 

32. The Spaniards who first came to America were stim- 
ulated by the desire and expectation of finding the precious 
metals, gold and silver. So powerful was this passion for gold, 
that the first adventurers encountered every possible hardship 
and danger in search of it, and sacrificed millions of the 
wretched natives, whom they compelled to work in the mines. 
The unfortunate Indians were distributed, like cattle, into lots 
of so many hundred heads each, and sold to the colonists. 
The Indians, who were naturally of a weak constitution, were 
rapidly wasted away by the hard service to which they were 
subjected. So great was the mortality among them, that out 
of 60,000 Indians who were in the island of St. Domingo, in 
1508, only 14,000 are said to have remained in 1516 ; and it 
was not many years before the race became nearly extinct in 
most of the islands. 

33. This cruelty to the Indians was strongly condemned by 
Las Casas, and other benevolent persons, and the colonists 
soon began to look to Africa for a supply of laborers in their 
mines and on their plantations. It was found that one ^-S- 
bodied negro could do as much work as four Indians. -«T 

34. The first importation of negroes from Africa to the 
West Indies was made, in 1503, by the Portuguese and a 
larger one was made by order of Ferdinand of Spain, in 151 1 5 
siEce that time, the inhuman traffic in African slaves has been 
carried on by most of the European nations ; nor has it yet 
been abandoned by Spain and Portugal, the two European 
countries which were the first to begin this barbarous traffic 
md which seem disposed to be last to relinquish it. 



UNITED STATES 259 

THE UNITED STATES.* 

SECTION I. 

SfttlemeM and Early History of the Colonies : — Virginia , 
Nero York; Colonies of Neio England; Indian XVois, 
Maryland ; Pennsylvania. — From A. D. 1607 to 1682. 

1. The vanity of nations, like that of families, inclines therr. 
to lay claim to a high antiquity ; and the obscurity in wliich 
their early history is, in most instances, involved, aflbrds them 
an opportunity to indulge this propensity. But with regard to 
the United States, circumstances are different. The vanity of 
the people of this country inclines them to dwell upon their 
recent origin and their rapid growth, and the promise which 
these afford of future greatness. Of all independent nations 
of any importance, now existing, this has had the most recent 
origin, and its early history is the best known ; nor do the 
annals of the world afford another instance of a nation rising, 
in so short a space of time from its first settlement, to an equal 
degree of power and freedom. 

2. Various circumstances have concurred to promote the 
rapid increase in population and wealth, and the progress of 
society, which have been witnessed in this country. The first 
settlers were emigrants from countries advanced in civilization, 
and they bi'ought with them the arts of civilized life. A great 
portion of them wei'e men distinguished for intelligence and 
enterprise, and were strenuous advocates for civil and religious 
liberty ; and, at the first foundation of their settlements, they 
paid particular attention to the promotion of education. A 
vast field of enterprise has been constantly presented before 
them, with ample rewards to industry. The means of subsist* 
ence have been abundant and easily obtained ; and extensive 
tracts of fertile and unoccupied lands, suitable for new settle 
ments, have always been procurable on moderate terms. Tho 
political and commercial relations of the inhabitants have con- 
nected them with the most enlightened nations in the world ; 



* The national existence of the United States, properly so called, com- 
menced July 4tk, 1776. Before that period, the inhabitants were in a 
state of colonial dependence on Great Britain, and were styled the Brit- 
ish Colonies in .imcrica. Lotusiana, which was formerly a French col- 
ony, and Florida, formerly a Spanish one, and Texas, jXew Mexico, and 
California, all of which formerly formed a part of Mexico, have since 
he^n innexed to the United States. 



260 UNITl^D STATES 

and havt aflbrded them tlie means of being acquainted with 
the progress of literature and science, and with the varioua 
improvements in the arts of civilized life. 

3. The colonization of this country originated either in re 
ligious persecution, carried on in England against the Puri- 
tans and other denominations of Christians, or in visionary 
Bchemes of adventurers, who set out for the new world in quest 
of settlements, and in pursuit of gain. It was the former 
•,:;ause which peopled the colonies of New England ; ancx H 
was to the latter that the colonies of Virginia and Neio Yo) k 
awed their origin. These may be considered as the original 
or parent colonies. 

4. They struggled long with the hardships and difficulties 
incident to all new establishments on barbarous shores, remote 
from civilized society, and from the means of procuring aid in 
supplying their wants, and in protecting themselves against the 
hostilities to which they were exposed. They were, at times, 
reduced to great extremities by sickness, disease, and want, 
and by the attacks and depredations of the Indians, insomuch 
that, in some instances, it was resolved to abandon the settle- 
ment of the country as impracticable. All these impediments, 
however, being gradually overcome by perseverance, industry, 
and enterprise, the colonies at last began to flourish, and to in- 
crease both in wealth and population. ./ 

5. The first grant from the crown of England, under which 
effectual settlements were made in North America, was dated 
April 10, 1606. By this charter, all the country in America, 
between lat. 34° and 45° N., was called Virginia. B.ut, by 
this charter, two companies were constituted ; one called the 
London Company., the other the Plymouth Company. To the 
former was assigned the territory between lat. 34° and 41° N. 
called South Virginia ; to the latter, the part of the territcrj' 
lying to the north, called North Virginia. 

6. Some unsuccessful attempts to form a settlement in Vir« 
gmia, before this charter was granted, have- been already mea* 
tioned. The first effectual attempt was made in 1607 by a 
sompany of 105 adventurers, who came in a vessel com- 
manded by Captain Newport. They sailed up the Powhatan 
or James River., built a fort, and commenced a town, which, 
in honor of king James., they called Jamestown. The gov- 
ernment of the colony was, at first, administered by a coun- 
cil of seven persons, with a president chosen from among their 
number. 

7. The name of the first president was Wingfield ; but the 
most distinguished member of the council was Captain John 



UNITED STATES. 261 

Smith, who was the second year chosen president, and who 
has been styled the Father uf the colony. He had commavided 
a company of cavalry in the Austrian army, in a war with the 
Turks; and had been taken prisoner and sent to .Constantinople 
as a slave, from which condition he had extricated hmiself. 
He was a man of undaunted courage, romantic disposition, and 
an ardent spirit of enterprise ; and to his superior talents the 
cjompany were greatly indebted for their success. 

8. The colonists were soon involved in contests with the 
Indians, whose hostilities against the English were not unprc 
looked, as they had been previously treated by them with cru- 
elty. In 1585, Sir Richard Grenville burnt a whole Indian 
town, and destroyed their corn, in revenge for their stealing a 
silver cup ; and Mr. Lane, the leader of the adventurers left 
by Sir Richard, slew a sachem, and killed and took captive 
several Indians. 

9. The year in which the settlement was commenced, an 
accident is said to have happened to Captain Smith, which 
lent to his history the attraction of romance. According to 
his own account, while engaged in hunting, he was taken 
prisoner by a body of 200 Indians ; but he so charmed them 
by his arts and his valor that they released him. Soon aftei'- 
wards, he was again taken by another party of 300, who 
carried him in triumph before Foichatan, the greatest cl«ef 
in the region. 

10. The sentence of death was pronounced upon him ; hw 
head was placed on a stone, and the savages were about to beat 
out his brains, when Pocahontas, the favorite daughter of the 
chief, who was only about twelve yeai's of age, after having in 
vain implored mercy for him, rushed forward, and, placing her 
head upon that of the captive, appeared determined to share 
his fate. Powhatan relented, and set the prisoner free. 

11. Two years afterwards (1609), Pocahontas gave infor- 
mation to Captain Smith of a plot formed by the Indians for 
ihe destruction of the colony, which was, by this means, pre- 
t^ented. This extraordinary Indian female was afterwards 
married, with the consent of her father, to Mr. Rolfe, a re- 
spectable young planter. Their nuptials were celebrated with 
great pomp, and Pocahontas was highly useful in preserving 
peace between the colonists and Indians. She accompanied 
her husband to England ; was instructed in the Christian re- 
ligion, and baptized. She died when about to return to Amer- 
ica, at the age of about 22, leaving one son, from whom aro 
sprung some of the most respectable families in Virginia. 

12. During the first year, the colonists suffered severely by 
the scannty and badness of provisions ; diseases were in con« 
Bequence mtroduced, which, in a few months, swept away one 



262 UNITED STATES. 

half of their number. But others were added by new a riva.a 
so that, at the end of the year, they amounted to 200. 

13. In the latter part of the year 1609, Captain Smith, a< 
once the shield and sword of the colony, returned to England. 
Soon after his departure, the company was reduced to the 
greatest extremities. A party of 30 men, under Captain Rat- 
cliffe, were all slain by the Indians ; and, in consequence of a 
waste of provisions, a most distressing famine prevailed (1610), 
which was known, for many years afterwards, by the name of 
the starving time. 

1 1., So dreadful was its effect, that, in the space of six months 
the Djlonists were reduced from nearly 500 to 60. This smal 
r:rnainder, being exceedingly enfeebled and disheartened, re 
solved to abandon the settlement and return to England, and 
for this purpose they had actually embarked ; but, meeting 
with Lord Delaware^ who had been appointed governor, under 
a new charter, with 150 men, and a large supply of provisions 
they were induced to remain ; and the affairs of the company 
soon began to assume a more auspicious appearance. 

15. At the expiration of twelve years from the first settle- 
ment, there remained only about 600 persons ; but, during the 
year 1619, the number was increased by the arrival of eleven 
ships, bringing 1,216 new settlers. The planters were mostly 
adventurers, destitute of families, and came with the hope of 
obtaining wealth, intending eventually to return : but with a 
view to make their residence permanent, and attach them to 
the country, an expedient was devised for supplying them with 
wives; and for this purpose, in the years 1620 and 1621, 150 
unmarried females, " young and uncorrupt," were sent over 
from England, to be sold to such as were inclined to purchase. 
The price of a wife, at first, was 100 pounds of tobacco ; but, 
as the number for sale decreased, the price was raised to 150 
pounds, the tobacco being valued at three shillings a pound. 
In 1620, 20 negroes were carried to Virginia in a Dutch vessel 
of war, and sold for slaves. This was the commencement, in 
English America, of the unhappy system of slavery. 

16. The colonists, having turned their attention to agricul- 
ture particularly to the cultivation of tobacco, and their num 
Iters being increased yearly by the arrival of new emigrants, 
began to enjoy a degree of prosperity, when, in 1622, they 
experienced a stroke which came near proving fatal. Ope- 
cancanough, the successor of Powhatan, concerted a plan for 
the destruction of the settlement ; and in so artful a manner 
was the plot devised, that it might have been effectually ac- 
compl shed, if a large part of the colonists had not been in- 
ftirmeo of it a few hours before the time appointed for its 



UNITED STATES. 263 

execution. The ^ndians, notwithstanding, succeeded in put« 
ling to death, ahuost instantaneously, 347 persons. A war of 
exlerminat! jn followed this massacre; not long afterwards 
another distressing famine ; and in 1624, of 9,000 persons who 
had been sent from England, only 1,800 remained in the col- 
ony. But its severe losses were soon repaired by new arrivds^ 

17. The colony sufTerec by restrictions on its trade af^iry 
ihe arbitrary government of Sir John Harvey ; but, in 1639, 
Sir William Berkeley, a man of superior talents, was appointed 
governor; and during his administration, which lasted, except 
during the protectorate of Cromwell, nearly 40 years, it was 
generally prosperous. The restrictions, howe^ver, imposed 
upon its trade by Charles II., occasioned discontents, and, 
in 1676, near the end of Berkeley's administi-ation, gave rise 
to an insurrection, memorable in the history of Virginia, and 
known by the name of Bacon''s Rebellion, so called from its 
leader. IM.xny parts of the colony were given up to pillage ; 
Jamestown was burnt; and all the horrors of a civil war were 
felt for a time,- till at last the rebellion was terminated by the 
death of Bacon. 

18. The population, in 1660, amounted to about 30,000 
and, in the 28 succeeding years, the number was doubled. 
The first adventurers came out with the hope of acquiring 
wealth by the discovery of the precious metals ; and the ships 
in which they arrived were sent back, one of them loaded by 
the miners with a glittering earth, which they vainly hoped 
contained gold; the other, loaded with cedar. About 1616, 
the cultivation of tobacco was commenced, which soon became 
the chief object of attention with the colonists, and constituted 
the principal part of their property. It formed the medium 
of trade, and was received by the government in the payment 
of taxes. 

19. In 1609, Henry Hudson, an Englishman in the service 
of the Dutch, on a voyage in quest of a north-west passage to 
Ind'a, discovered the noble river which bears his name. The 
first permanent settlements were made by Dutch adventure rsj 
who aiected two forts, in or about the year 1614, one at Al 
\any, the other on Manhattan Island, where the city of New 
York now stands. The country was called New Netherlands, 
and the settlement on Manhattan Island was named New Am- 
sterdam ; which names they retained till the conquest of the 
country by the English. 

20. The colony was in the possession of the Dutch about 5G 
years, and the government was administered by three succes. 
wvc governors, namely. Van Twiller, Kieft, and Sluyvesant. 



264 UNITED SIATES. 

The extension of the English settlements gave rise tc misun- 
derstandings, and the Dutch governors vi^ere engaged in a 
series of disputes and contests. 

21. In 1664, Charles II. of England, being then at war with 
the Dutch, granted the country to his brother, the Duke of 
York : Governor Stuyvesant was compelled to capitulate to an 
English force, under Colonel Nicholls ; the whole territoiM 
hc-came subject to the British crown, and, in honor of the dukij 
Mie country and city were named New York. 

22. The Plymouth Company, to whom the countrj^ of iV,>? Ih 
Virginia was assigned, commenced a small settlement on the 
river SagadaJwc, or Kennebec, in 1607, the same year in which 
JamesTown was founded ; but it was soon abandoned. In 1614, 
Captain SjuitJi, hiivlng visited the country, and examined its 
shores and harbors, on his return to England, constructed a 
map of it, which he presented to Prince Charles, who changed 
its name from North Virginia to Neio England ; and a patent 
was granted by King James, in 1620, to the Duke of Lenox, 
Ferdinando Gorges, and others, styled " The Council of 
Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for settling and govern- 
ing New England." This patent granted to them the country 
fixtending from lat. 40° to 48° N. ; and it was the foundation 
i>{ the subsequent grants of the several parts of the territory. 

23. In the year in which this patent was granted, the first 
permanent settlement was commenced in New England, at 
Vlymoutli, in Massachusetts, by 101 Puritans, a class of dis- 
senters from the Church of England, who were now beginning 
to become numerous, and who were called Puritans, because 
ihey were desirous of a purer form of discipline and worsliip. 
This small colony formed a part of the congregation of John 
Rihmson, who is regarded as the founder of the denomumti-on 
of Independents or CongregationaUsts. 

24. Being driven from England by persecution, several years 
li'ofore, the congregation, together with their minister, had fled 
li; Holland; but a part of them were, at length, induced to 
■.i}Sik an asylum, where they might enjoy religious liberty, in 
jie wilds of America. The principle of religious toleration 
was not, at this period, undei'stood or pi-actised by any denom- 
ination of Christians. The Puritans were severely persecuted 
i)y the Church of England ; but their own principles, also, 
A ere intolerant ; and, in their turn, they persecuted those who 
differed from them. 

25. The colonists sailed, on the 6th of September, 1620 
from Plymouth in England, in the Mayflower, for Hudson's 
lliver, in the neighborhood of which they intended to settle 



UNITED STATES. 265 

Dut they were carried, by head winds, farther to the north ; and 
Uie first land which they discovered was Cape Cod. They ar- 
rived on the coast in November ; and, as they had not de- 
termined on the place for their settlement, parties were de- 
spatched to explore the comitry, who, after incredible suflering 
from the severity of the weather, found a harbor. Here they 
landed, December 22d, 1620, and began to build a town, which 
tliey called Plymouth^ from the name of the town which they 
last left in England. 

26. The difficulties and sufferings which they had to en- 
counter were sufficient to dishearten men of ordinary resolu- 
tion. Cast upon an unknown and barbarous coast, in a severe 
climate, and at an inclement season ; worn down with their 
long voyage, excessive fatigue, the severity of the weather, 
and the want of comfortable provisions and habitations, they 
were, soon after their arrival, visited with distressing sickness, 
and, in three months, reduced to about one half of their origi- 
nal number. The sickness was so general, that, at some times, 
there were only six or seven well persons in the company. 

27. They instituted a republican form of government, and 
chose John Carver for their first governor, who, dying in 1621, 
was succeeded by William Bradford. The governor, who 
was chosen annually, had at first but one assistant ; afterwards 
five ; and the number was, at length, increased to seven. On 
tiie opening of the spring, they sowed barley and peas, which 
produced but an indifferent crop. They were assisted in plant- 
ing and dressing Indian corn or maize, which they had never 
before seen, by Sqxianto^ a friendly Indian : this afforded them 
a great part of their subsistence ; and it has ever since been a 
staple production of the country. For severa.1 years the whole 
property of the settlers was held in common. 

28. In order to protect themselves against the hostilities of 
the Indians, they formed a military organization, and Miles 
Sfandish was chosen their captain. — In March, 1621, they 
were visited by Samoset, a sagamore or petty sachem, who ad- 
dressed them with the friendly salutation of " Welcome, Eng- 
lishmen ! Welcome, Englishmen ! " From him they obtained 
important information respecting the country, and learned that, 
not long before, a mortal pestilence" had swept off almost all 
the Indians in the vicinity. By his assistance they entered 
inl'j a treaty of peace and friendship with Massasoit, sachem 
of the WampanooffS^ who was the most powerful Indian chief 
in the region. This treaty, which was of great importance to 
the colony, was strictly observed till the commencement of 
Philip's war, i period of 54 years. 

29. During subsequent years, there were numerous arrivals 



266 UNITED STATES. 

of other persons from England, whose character and riewa 
were similar to those of the first settlers at Plymouth. In 
1628, the foundation was laid of the colony of MassachuseMi 
Bay, by a company of adventurers under John Endicott, who 
formed a settlement at Naumkeag, now Salem; and in 1630, 
1,500 persons, under John Winthrop, who was appointed gov- 
ernor, arrived at Charlestown, and soon afterwards commenced 
the settlement of Boston and other towns in the vicinity. ""yC 
80. In 1623, the settlement of New Hampshire was corr ■ 
meaced at Dover and Portsmouth, by persons sent out by John 
Mason and Ferdinando Gorges, to whom the country had been 
granted. The former became afterwards sole proprietor of a 
large part of the country, and the claims of his heirs furnished 
a fruitful source of contention. The settlements were annexed 
to Massachusetts in 1641, and so continued till 1679, when u 
separate government was instituted for New Hampshire. 

31. In 1635, the settlement of the colony of Connecticut was 
begun, at Windsor and Wethersfield, by about 60 persons from 
Massachusetts ; and, in 1638, the colony of New Haven was 
commenced by Theophiliis Eaton, John Davenport, and others. 
These colonies were united into one in 1665. 

32. The settlement of Rhode Island was commenced in 
1636, at Providence, by Roger Williams, a minister of the 
Gospel, who had been banished from Massachusetts on account 
of his religious opinions. 

33. As the quiet enjoyment of religious liberty was the lead- 
ing cause of the formation of these settlements, the founders 
of them were particularly solicitous with regard to the support 
and encouragement of religion. Among the early settlers, 
there were many men of talents and liberal education ; and a 
wilderness has probably never been planted by a body of men 
who were more mindful of the interests of learning, or more 
attentive to the establishment of schools. In ten years after 
the first settlement of Massachusetts Bay, Harvard College 
was founded at Cambridge. 

34. The colonists were possessed of many excellent traits 
of character. Their enterprise and industry, their love of 
iibarty, their attention to education, their morality and piety 
entitle them to respect and admiration. They were not, how- 
ever, withou. faults, some of which were vices of the age ; 
others belonged more particularly to themselves. 

35. With regard to differences in religious opinions, their 
views were narrow and intolerant. In some instances, it waa 
enacted, that none except members of the church should have 
a right to vote at elections, or should be eligible to any office. 
Their rigid principles also appear in the severity with which 



UNITED STATES. 2(n 

they punished many offences, which are not now consi kved 
as properly coming under the cognizance of the civil law 
The close inspection which they practised with regard to every 
man's principles and conduct, secured, for many years, very 
strict morals and great uniformity of doctrines. But it was 
not possible to prevent differences of opinion ; and when these 
arose, the severity with which those were treated, who avowee 
unpopular sentiments, occasioned many heart-burnings and 
niitaal reproaches. 

36. The colonists landed in the country whhout having ob- 
tained the consent of the natives ; yet the principle upon which 
they proceeded was, before taking possession of the lands, to 
procure them by a regular purchase of the Indians, who were 
considered as the rigiitful owners of the soil. The treatment, 
however, which the Indians in America had generally received 
from Eui'opean adventurers, had given them too much reason 
to distrust the friendly dispositions of white men ; and it must 
be acknowledged, that the New England colonists, in their 
proceedings with regard to this injured people, were not always 
pacific or just. 

37. In the third year after the formation of the settlement 
at Plymouth, Captain Standish, at the head of a small party, 
killed a number of Indians who had manifested hostile inten- 
tions. When an account of this transaction was sent to Mr. 
Robinson, in Holland, in his next letter to the governor, he ex 
claimed, in a manner that does honor to his feelings, " O that 
you had converted some before you had killed any ! " The 
settlers at PJijmouth and in Massac IniseUs Bay, however, had 
but little trouble with the Indians for many years. But the 
colony of Connecticut, in 1637, two years after it was first 
planted, was engaged in a severe contest with the Peqiiods, or 
Ptquots, a warlike tribe, inhabiting a district now forming the 
south-east part of that state. The Pequods had previously 
made depredations on the infant settlement, and killed several 
individuals. The Indians were entirely defeated, at their set- 
tlement and forts on Mystic River, by the colonists, under 
Captain Mason, with the loss of between 600 and 700 killed 
and taken prisoners, being about two thirds of their whole 
number ; and 70 of their wigwams were also burnt. Of the 
English, only 2 were killed and 16 wounded. -i* 

38. Not long after this contest, the colonists had strong ap 
prehensions of a general combination of the Indians for extir- 
pating them ; the proceedings of the Dutch and the French 
also created alarm. In order, therefore, to promote their se- 
curity and welfare, the four colonies of Massachusetts Bay 



268 UNITED STATES. 

Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, united in a confed- 
eracy, in 1643, by the name of the United Colonies of New 
England. Each one elected two delegates, who were to as« 
Bcmble by rotation, in the different colonies, annually, or oftener 
■f necessary. This union, which subsisted a little more than 
40 years, till the colonies were deprived of their charters by 
James II., was of great service in promoting harmony among 
then selves, and increasing their means of defence. In it we 
may see the germ of that grand confederacy which led to 
American Independence. 

39. The most general and destructive Indian war, in whicu 
ihe colonies were ever involved, took place in 1675 and 1676 
with Philip, king or sachem of the Wampanoags, and son of 
Massasoif, whose principal residence was at Mount Hope, in 
Rhode Island. He was the most formidable enemy that the 
colonists had ever known ; a man of great talents and un- 
daunted courage, a shrewd politician, and a great warrior. 

40. The Indian tribes, perceiving the English settlement*! 
extending in every direction, determined to make one great 
and combined effort to avoid the loss of their hunting-grounds, 
their inheritance, their liberty and independence. An exten- 
sive combination was accordingly formed among the different 
tribes, for the purpose of the total destruction of the colonies ; 
and of this combination Philip was the leader. 

41. A more immediate cause of the war was the circum- 
stance, that Sausaman, a Christian Indian, gave information to 
the colonists of the plot which had been formed against them, 
for which three Indians, at the instigation of Philip, murdered 
him. The murderers were tried and executed by the English. 
In order to avenge their death, Philip soon commenced his hos- 
tile attacks, and, by his agents, drew into the contest most of 
the libes in New England. 

42. The Indians had now acquired, in some degree, the use 
of fire-arms. Hostilities were conducted with great spirit and 
energy on both sides, and with the usual ferocity of savage 
warfare. The greatest battle, not only during this contest, bu^ 
in the early history of the country, is known by the name of 
the Sioaiiip Fight, which took place in December, 1675, in the 
Narraganset country, at the Indian fortress, in a large swamp 
situated in the western part of what is now the township of 
South Kingston. The English, who were commanded by Jo 
siah Winslow, Governor of Plymouth, obtained a great victory, 
yet with the loss of 230 men killed and wounded ; and among 
their slain were six brave captains. About 1,000 of the In- 
dians art supposed to have perished, besides many women and 
ehildri^a , and 500 or 600 of their wigwams were burnt. 



UNITED STATES. 26? 

43- The Indians never entirely recovered from the eifect of 
this defeat. They were not, however, subdued, but continued 
their depredations by massacring the inhabitants and burning 
the towns. At length, in August, 1676, the great warr'or 
Fkilip was shot by an Indian wliom he had offended, and wno 
joined a party under the famous Captain Benjamin Church. 
This was a fatal stroke to the power of the aborigines, and 
exjited the liveliest joy and exultation in the colonies. McM 
of the hostile Indians soon afterwards submitted, or retreated 
from the country. After the termination of this conflict, the 
principal sufferings which the New England colonies endured 
from the hostilities of the Indians took place during the wars 
with the French., who employed the savages as auxiliaries. 

44. This war afflicted almost every family in New England 
with the most painful privations. The whole English popula- 
tion was computed, at this time, to amount to about 60,000, 
of which nearly 600 men, comprising a considerable part of 
the strength of the country, fell during the contest, besides 
many women and children ; and others were led into a miser- 
able captivity. About 600 buildings, mostly dwelling-houses, 
were consumed ; 12 or 13 towns were destroyed, many others 
damaged, and many cattle killed. The country was in deep 
mourning, there being scarcely a family or an individual who 
had not lost either a relative or a friend. 

45. The founder of Maryland was Sir George Calvert., Lord 
Baltimore., a Roman Catholic, and an eminent statesman, who 
had been secretary to James 1. He first visited Virginia, with 
a view to form a settlement of Catholics ; but, meeting there 
with an unwelcome reception, he fixed his attention on the ter- 
ritory to the north of the Potomac, and obtained a grant of it 
from Charles I. From the queen of Charles, Henrietta Maria, 
the country was named Maryland. But, before the patent was 
completed. Sir George died, and the grant was given to hia 
eldest son, CeciUus., who succeeded to his titles, and for up- 
wards of 40 years directed the aflairs of the colony, displayit7g 
an enlightened miderstanding and a benevolent heart. 

46. Leonard Cah-ert, brother to Cecilius, was appointc d the 
first governor; and he, together with about 200 persons, com- 
menced the settlement of the town of St. Mary''s, in 1634. 
The leading features of the policy adopted in this colony do 
honor to the founders. Universal toleration of religion was 
established, and a system of equity and humanity was practised 
with regard to the Indian tribes. 

17. In 16S1, the celebrated William Peim obtaimid of 

23* 



270 UNITED STATES 

Charles II. a grant of the tract of country afterwards Lamtd 
from him Pe7insylvania. It was granted to him in consider- 
ation of debts due from the crown of England for services 
performed by his father, Admiral Penn. In 1682, he arrived 
in the country, accompanied by about 2,000 associates, who 
were, most of them, like himself, of the denomination of 
Fi'iends or Quakers ; and in the next year he laid out the plan 
of the city of Philadelphia. — — \ 

48. This great man and wise legislator made civil and re- 
ligious Iberty the basis of all his institutions. Christians of al. 
denominations might not only live unmolested, but have a shaio 
in the government. In his intercourse with the Indians, he 
was governed by the strictest principles of equity and hu- 
manity, treating them as men and brethren, possessing the 
same rights as white men. Soon after his arrival, he sum- 
moned them to a council, and obtained of them, by fair pur- 
chase, a cession of as much land as his exigencies required. 

49. The same course was pursued by his followers ; the 
treaties were preserved inviolate on both sides ; and a good 
understanding remained uninterrupted for more than 70 years. 
It was seen by mankind, with surprise, that kindness and gooc 
faith were a better protection than the sword, even to a settle- 
ment planted among savages ; and that this excellent man, by 
his humane, equitable, and pacific policy, without any warlike 
preparations or means of defence-; secured to his colony peace, 
prosperity, and safety, far more effectually than Lycurgus se- 
cured the same advantages to his country, by rendering the 
Spartans a nation of soldiers. 

50. No one of the other colonies mad§,so rapid advances in 
population and prosperity as this. The fertility of the soil, the 
salubrity of the climate, the uninterrupted peace with the na- 
tives, and the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty, held o-;t 
inducements to the Quakers, and other persecuted and oppressed 
people in Europe, to seek an asylum in Pennsylvania. 

51. In the original foundation of Rhode Island, by Roger 
Williams , of Maryland, by Lord Baltimore ; and, on a aiore 
extended scale, of Pennsylvania, by William Penn, the free 
toleration of religion was recognized ; and these were the first 
civi. communities in which this liberal and enlightened prin- 
ciple was legally established and acted upon. The mhabitants 
of the New England colonies, with the exception of Rhode 
Island, in the early ages of their history, as has already been 
mentioned, persecuted those who differed from them with re- 
gard to religion ; and the inhabitants of Virginia harassed those 
who dissented from the Church of England. 



UNITED STATES. 271 



SECTION II. 

Oppre-'i-swe Measures relating to the Colonies : French Wars , 
Capture of Louisburg , Expedition against New England , 
Conquest of Canada. — Froju A. D. 1682 to 1763. 

1. From ih'i time of the foundation of the first permanent 
Fintilish settlement in North America, the throne of England 
had been occupied by sovereigns of the Stuart Family, the in- 
fluence of whose arbitrary principles tended to increase tlie 
number of emigrants from Great Britain to America ; but this 
influence was also felt on this side of the Atlantic as well as 
on the other. The colonies were repeatedly alarmed by the 
danger of losing their charters, which were at last wrested from 
them ; and several of the governors appointed by the crown 
occasioned great uneasiness by their oppressive measures. 

2. A number of Englishmen, after having visited the colo- 
nies, and become, from different reasons, hostile to them, on 
their return to Great Britain, prejudiced the king and council 
against them. Of these, no one so much distinguished himself 
as Edward Randolph, who was sent over to America by 
Charles II., in 1676, and who, according to his own account, 
crossed the Atlantic 16 times in nine yeai's, chiefly for the 
purpose of destroying the liberties of New England, This 
purpose he finally accomplished, and a writ was issued against 
ihe several charters in 1683. 

3. Sir Edmund Andros, who had been for some time Gov- 
ernor of New York, was appointed by James II. governor also 
of New England. He arrived in Boston, in 1686, and sui^i- 
moned the colonies to surrender their charters. The charter 
of Massachusetts was given up, but that of Connecticut was 
concealed, by Captain Wads worth, in the hollow of an oak in 
Hartford. Sir Edmund began with high professions of ;:is 
good intentions ; but he soon threw off the mask, governed in 
the most oppressive manner, and attempted to render himself 
as despotic in America as the king was disposed to be in 
England. 

4. Happily, however, the reign of tyranny was of short du- 
ration . the arbitrary proceedings of James II. had rendered 
him so odious, that he was compelled to flee from his kingdom. 
The news of the Revolution of 1688, in England, and tlie ac- 
cession of William and Mary to the throne, was received, in 
this country, with ecstasy, and was regarded as an event which 
brought deliverance from despotism to America, as well as to 
crrsat Britain. The inhabitants of Boston seized Sir Edmund, 



ZT2 UNITED STATES. 

together with Randolph and about 50 others, and put them in 
close confinement, where they were kept till the leaders were 
ordered back to England for trial. Connecticut and Rhode 
Island immediately resumed their charters, and I'eestablished 
their former government. 

5. The people of Massachusetts Bay petitioned the king fcr 
a restoratiojn of their charter. This was, however, refused 
but a new charter, less favorable to liberty than the old one 
was granted, in 1692, Ijy which the colonies of Massachusetts 
Bay and Ph mouth were united into one, by the name of Mas- 
mchusetts ; to which were also annexed the provinces of Maine 
and Nova Scotia. 

6. Under the old charter, the governor, together with all the 
magistrates and officers of state, was chosen annually by the 
general assembly, the members of which and the assistants of 
the governor were elected by the freemen of the colony. By 
the new charter, the appointment of the governor, lieutenant- 
governor, secretary, and the officers of the admiralty, waa 
taken from the colonists, and was vested in the crown. The 
fight of choosing representatives was the only privilege which 
was allowed to the people. In order to render the change 
more acceptable, the king appointed (1692) Sir William P hips, 
a native of Maine, the first governor under the charter. / 

7. Scarcely had the colonies emerged from one scene of 
trouble before they were involved in another. The Revolu- 
tion in England restored, in a great measure, their liberties; 
but it soon subjected them to the evils of war with the French 
and the Indians. The war, during the reign of William and 
Mary, lasted from 1690 to the peace of Ryswick, in 1697 ; 
that during the reign of Queen Anne, froiri 1702 to the peaco 
of Utrecht, in 1713. 

8. During the 25 years preceding the peace of Utrecht, the 
country had enjoyed only four or five years of exemption from 
war. For several years, not less than a fifth part of the in- 
habitants, able to bear arms, were in actual service, and some- 
times one half of the militia. Those who were not in service 
were obliged to guard their fields and families at home, and 
were subject to constant alarms. The resources of the coun- 
try were greatly diminished ; the aspect of affairs gloomy • 
jnany fields untilled ; extensive tracts desolated ; the growth 
of the col'onios exceedingly checked ; their frontiers laid waste 
srveral towns burnt ; and the greatest barbarities perpetrated. 

9. It has been computed that, during these wars in the col- 
Orties of New England and New York, as many as 8,000 young 
mr,n, the flower of the country, fell by the sword of the enemy 



UNITED STATES. 273 j 

or by diseases contracted in the public service. Most of the ] 

families were in mourning for the loss of friends, who were ' 
either killed or led into a miserable captivity. t^ n ,fsji}J 

1713 \vc\f^ 

10. .\fter the peace of Utrecht, the colonies enjoyed, foi • 
some years, a state of compai-ative tranquillity. But, in 1744. \ 
another wj r broke out between Great Britain and France, of \ 
which th3 effects were felt in America, and which was here 
tendered memorable, chiefly by the capture of Loiiisburg, on 

the island of Cape Breton, by troops from New England, un- 

del the command of General Sir William Pepperell. Louis- j 

bui^g had been fortified by the French at a vast expense, and ; 

was a place of such immense strength, as to be called the Bun- \ 

kirk or Gibraltar of America ; and the reduction of it was j 
deemed an object of the highest importance to New England. 

11. The troops under the command of General Pepperell, \ 
amounting to 4,070, the greater part from Massachusetts, ar- 
rived at Canso, on the 4th of April, 1745, and, in three weeks 
after, were joined by Commodore Warre7i, with four ships from j 
England. The siege was soon after commenced, and contmued ' 
till the 16th of June, when Louisburg, together with the island 1 
of Cape Breton, was surrendered by the French commander. ; 

12. The news of this brilliant achievement occasioned great 
exultation in the colonies, and encouraged them to attempt the .^ 
conquest of all the French possessions in North America. It > 
also roused the government of France to seek revenge ; and, \ 
in 1746, an armament, under the Duke cPAnvilh., was sent to ] 
America, consisting of 11 ships of the line, and 30 smaller i 
vessels of war, besides transports, with upwards of 3,000 regu- | 
lar troops, and 40,000 stands of arms for the use of the Cana- 
dians and Indians. The object of this armament, which was ! 
the most formidable that had ever been sent to North America 

was to recover Louisburg, and to distress, if not to conquer, : 

>^{!W England. j 

13. The first intelligence of the sailing of this fleet filled the : 
colonists with consternation; but they were delivered from j 
iheiT fears in a most extraordinary and providential manner. \ 
The fleet had a long and disastrous passage, and sustained so i 
great damages by storms, and losses by shipwrecks, that, on ita 
arrival, the force was reduced more than one half. A mortal j 
sickness prevailed among the troops, which carried off a great 

part of them ; and the two principal commanders died sud- ; 

denly, one or both of them by suicide, in a fit of despair. '| < 

14. The remaining ships returned singly to France, without ■ 
having accomplished a single object of the expedition ; and the . 
whole design against the colonies was frustrated without the ^ 



274 UNITED STATES. 

/ 

intervention of human aid. — By the peace of Aix-Ia-C\ape,le^ 
in 1748, Louisburg was given up to France, to the nc small 
mortification of the colonies. 

15. The French, having been the first discoverers of the rivel 
Mississippi, claimed the country watered by it and its tributa- 
ries ; and, in the succeeding period of peace, they made great 
exertions to connect their colonies of Canada and Louisiana, by 
extending the line of military posts from Lake Ontario to the 
Ohio, and down that river and the Mississippi to New Orleans 

16. A company of persons belonging to England and Vir- 
ginia, associated by the name of the Ohio Company^ obtained 
from the king a grant of 600,000 acres of land, on and neai- 
the Ohio, for the purpose of carrying on the fur trade witli the 
Indians, and settling the country ; and they established some 
trading-houses on the river. But, as the French claimed an 
exclusive right to this country and its trade, they seized some 
of the traders, and carried them prisoners to Canada. 

17. The company complained loudly of these aggressions 
on a territory which had been ceded to it as a part of Vii^inia ; 
and Robert Dinwiddie, the governor, having laid the subject 
before the assembly of that colony, it was determined that it 
should be demanded, in the name of the king, that the French 
should desist from designs which were deemed a violation of 
existing treaties. George Washington, then in his 22d year 
was, in 1753, sent on this service to M. de St. Pierre, the 
French commandant on the Ohio, who stated to Washington, 
that he had acted according to his orders. 

18. The British government, being informed of the designs 
of the French, directed the Americans to oppose them by force 
of arms. A regiment was soon formed, and put under the 
command of Washington, who was appointed colonel. Troops 
were raised throughout the colonies ; naval and land forces 
were sent from England; and expeditions were, in 1755, sent 
against Nova Scotia, Crown Point, and Niagara. 

19. Another expedition against Fort du Quesne [now PiltS' 
burg] was commanded by General Braddock, who had two 
English regiments, and a body of colonial troops under Colonel 
Washington, the whole amounting to 1,200. Braddock was an 
jfficer of reputation, but neither he nor his English soldiers 
knew anything of savage warfare ; and, being attacked by a 
party of French and Indians in ambush, he was entirely de- 
feated, and himself slain. Of 86 officers, 63 were killed and 
wounded, and about half of the privates. Washington who 
had two horses shot under him, and four balls shot through hig 
coat, led off the remainder of the troops, remained unhurt, and 
acquired a high reputation for his good management. 



AMERICA. 251 



AMERICA. 



Discovery and Settlement : — Columhis, Americus, Cabot' 
Sfc. ; Conquest of Mexico and Peru ; — Cortes^ Pizarro^ 
S-c. — From A. D. 1492 to 1600. \ 

1. The discovery of America was the greatest achievement 
of the kind ever performed by man ; and, considered in con- 
nection with its consequences, it is the greatest event of mod» 
em times. It served to wake up an unprecedented spirit of 
enterprise ; it opened new sources of wealth, and exerted a 
powerful influence on commerce, by greatly increasing many 
important articles of trade, and also by bringing into general 
use many others before unknown : by leading to the discovery 
of the rich mines of this continent, it has caused the quantity 
of the precious metals in circulation throughout the world to 
be exceedingly augmented ; it also gave a new impulse to 
colonization, and prepared the way for the adva^ges of civil- 
ized life, and the blessings of Christianity, to bf>t«^tended over 
vast regions, which before were the miserable ^podes of bar- 
barism and pagan idolatry. 

2. The man to whose" genius and enterprise the world is in- 
debted for this discovery was Christopher Columbus, of Genoa. 
He was the son of a wool-comber ; was engaged in a sea- 
faring life from the age of 14 ; was well versed in the sciences 
of geometry, astronomy, and geography ; had more correct 
ideas of the figure of the earth than were common in his time ; 
was singularly qualified for executing an arduous expedition, 
being well skilled in naval science, fertile in expedients, pa- 
tient ^nd persevering, grave and dignified in his deportment, 
master of himself, and skilful in the government of other men. 

3. He conceived, that, in order to complete the balance of 
the terraqueous globe, another continent necessarily existed, 
which m ght be reached by sailing to the west from Europe ; 
but he erroneously connected it with India. Being persuaded 
of the truth of his theory, his adventurous spirit made him 
eager tc verify it by experiment. 

4. The passage round the Cape of Good Hope not being 
then known, the merchandise of India was, in order to be con- 
veyed to Europe, brought up the Red Sea, and transported 
across the land to Alexandria. To find a passage to China 
and the East Indies by sea, had long been an object of investi- 
gation , and it was in quest of a shorter and easier route by 
the west that Columbus undertook his voyage of discovery. 



252 AMERICA. 

The riches of the East were the bribe and inducement which 
he held out to the sovereign or the state that should enable him 
lO execute his design. 

5. Fie first applied for assistance to his countrymen, the 
Genoese, then to the Portuguese, then to Ferdinand of Spain, 
and then, by means of his brother Bartholomew, to Henry VII. 
of England, but all without success ; and he had the mortifica- 
tion to be considered a visionary projector. At length, after 
{.even years of persevering and anxious solicitation and con 
temptuous neglect in Spain, and 18 years after he nad fits! 
conceived the enterprise, he obtained a gleam of royal favoi 
from Queen Isabella. By her means he was provided with 
three small vessels, victualled for twelve months, and having 
on board 90 men. The expense of building and supplying 
the whole was only about ,£4,000. He was appointed ad- 
miral of all the seas which he should explore, and governor 
of all the islands and countries which he should discover and 
subdue. 

6. With the small and ill-appointed fleet which had been 
furnished, he sailed from Palos., in Spain, on the 3d of August, 
1492. He steered directly for the Canary islands, where, hav 
ng refitted, he proceeded on his voyage, on the 6th of Septem- 
oer, passing into seas which no vessel b.ad been known to have 
ever explored, and without a chart to direct his course. 

7. He had soon occasion to make use of all his talents and 
address. After having sailed about 200 leagues from the 
Canaries, the variation of the magnetic needle from its direc- 
tion to the polar star, a phenomenon whid|f had never before 
been observed, excited alarm in his own breast, and filled the 
sailors with terror and dismay to such a degree, that they were 
ready to rise in open inutiny. But, with great presence of 
mhid, he made a solution of the phenomenon, which served to 
9ilonce the murmurs of his crew, though it was unsatisfactory 
to himself. Having pursued their course for 30 days longer, 
without discovering land, the murmurs of ihe crew again broke 
ont, and with increased violence. Columbus made use of en- 
couragement and exhortation ; but, according to Oviedo, was 
compelled to yield so far to their importunity as to propose, 
that if, after proceeding three days more, no land were dis- 
covered, he would instantly return. 

8. Strong indications of land had already begun to appear 
and, in the night of the 11th of October, Columbus, who was 
standing on the forecastle, discovered a light ahead. The 
morning displayed the joyful sight of land ! A hymn of 
thanksgiving to Almighty God was sung by the whole crew 
who immediately united in the most ardent expressions of ad- 



AMERICA. 253 

m':alion for their commander, with acknowledsments oi iheii 
rashness and disobedience. 

9. The island first discovered was St. Salvador, or Cat 
Island, one of the Bahmnas. He afterwards discovered Cuba 
and Hayii, or St. Domingo, which he named HispanioJa, on 
which he landed, and left some of his men to form a colony. 
In conformity with the theory whicli he had adopted, ho con- 
nected these islands with India, believing them at no great dis- 
tance from that unexplored region ; and, as they had been 
reached by a western passage, they were denominated the West 
InJies. And, in accordance with this theory, the aborigines 
of America, from the time of the first discovery, have been 
designated by the appellation of Indians. 

10. Having obtainetl a quantity of gold and some of the na 
tives, he set sail on his return to Spain. During the voyage, a 
violent tempest arose, which lasted 15 days, and exposed the 
fleet to extreme danger : and, in order to aflbrd a small chanco 
that the world might not lose the benefit of his discovery, he 
had the presence of mind to write a short account of his voy- 
age, which he wrapped in an oiled cloth, and inclosed in a 
cake of wax ; and, putting this into an empty cask, he com- 
mitted it to the sea, hi hopes that it might fall into the hands 
of some fortunate navigator, or be cast ashore. But the storm 
happily abated, and Columbus entered the port from which he 
had sailed about seven months before, amidst the acclamations 
and wonder of the multitude. He pi'oceeded immediately to 
the court, where he was received with respect and admiration. 

11. Columbus afterwards made a second and a third voyage, 
in the latter of which he discovered, in 1498, the Continent oj 
South America ; but his successes and honors did not fail to 
excite envy and intrigues against him in the court of Spain 
In consequence of false accusations, he was deprived of the 
g{(vernment of Hispaniola, and sent home in chains. The 
captain of the vessel which carried him, impressed with the 
highest veneration for his captive, and feeling the deepest re- 
piet for the indignity which he suffered, offered to release him 
irom his fetters. " No ! " said Columbus, in a burst of gener- 
ous indignation; "I wear these irons in consequence of an 
order from their majesties, the . rulers of Spain. They shall 
fini me as obedient to this as to their other injunctions. By 
their command I have been confined ; and their command 
alone snail set me at liberty." 

12. But he never forgot the unjust and shameful treatment 
which he had received. Through the whole of his after life, 
he carried his fetters with him, as a memorial of the ingiati- 
tude which he had experienced. He hung them up in hii« 

22 



254 AMEIKCA. 

chamber, and gave )rders that they sbijuld be buried with hira 
in his grave. 

13. Upon the arrival of Columbus .n Spain, a pr ;aner and 
in fetters, the indignation of all men was highly excited; and 
Ferdinand, cold, distant, and haughty as he was, felt for a while 
the emotions of shame. But after detaining him for a long 
time, in a fatiguing and vexatious attendance, he appointed 
another person governor of Hispaniola in his stead. Such 
was the reward which the great discoverer of this western 
worjd received, for having devised and carried on to a success- 
ful issue one of the noblest and most daring enterprises tiiat 
ever entered into the mind of man ; and such is the acccjnt 
which impartial history is constrained to give of the justice and 
gratitude of kings ! 

14. Columbus, intent on finding a passage to India by the 
west, afterwards made a fourth voyage, examined the coast of 
Darien, and was shipwrecked on the coast of the island of 
Jamaica. He here obtained, for a time, an astonishing com- 
mand over the Indians, by predicting an eclipse of the moon. 
After having endured a great variety of suffering and calamity, 
from the mutiny and treachery of his men, from conflicts with 
the natives, from scarcity of provisions, and from sickness, in 
this his last and most disastrous expedition, he returned to 
Spain; and, worn out with fatigue, disappointment, and sor- 
row, he died at VaUadolid, in 1503, at about the age of 70 
years. His funeral, by the order of Philip 11., who had recently 
ascended the throne, was extremely magnificent, and tne fol- 
lowing inscription was engraved on his tomb : — " To Castile 
and Leon, Columbus has given a new world." 

15. But this great man was unjustly deprived of the honor 
of giving his name to this continent by Americus Vespucius, a 
native of Florence, who accompanied Ojeda in a voyage, in 
1499, and discovered a part of tlie coa.st of South America, 
the next year after the continent had been discovered by C-o- 
lumbus. He wrote an account of this voyage, claiming ihe 
honor of being the first discoverer of the 7nain land ; and from 
fl m the continent has been named America. But this act of 
injustice, how much soever it is to be regretted, has done no 
real injury to the reputation of the one, nor benefit to that ■^f 
the other ; our feelings rather incline us to enhance the mt.rit 
of Columbus, as one whose noble achievement has been ill re- 
quited, and to detract from that of Americus, as one who would 
usurp the honors of another. 

16. In 1497, Vasco de Gania, a Portuguese, first doubled the 
Cape of Good Hope, and sailed to India. By this, he effected 
Vhat was a leading objiect with Columbus in his emerprJNe, 






UNITED STATES. 273 

20. The expedition against Croioa Point was commanded 
hj General Johnson^ who was met by the French army, undei 
the command of Dieskau^ on the banks of Lake George. A 
battle ensued, in which Dieskau was repulsed, with the loss of 
700 or 800 men, and himself mortally wounded ; but no at- 
tempt was made upon C'rown Point. The expedition against 
ISiagara and Fort Fronte7tac, under the command of Governor 
ShMey of Massachusetts, was delayed till it became too lata 
in the season to effect anything; and the campaign clostij 
without any one of the objects of the three expeditions having 
been attained. 

21. The war, which had been carried on two years withe il 
any formal proclamation, was at length declared in 1756. Tho 
Marquis de Montcalm succeeded Dieskau ; and the chief com- 
hiand of the English troops was first given to the Earl of Lou- 
don., and afterwards to' General Ahercrombie. Montcalm was 
an able commander, but the British generals were weak and 
inefficient ; and the campaigns of 1756 and 1757 brought re- 
proach both upon them and the British government, and occa- 
sioned -chagrin and disappointment in the colonies. But a 
change having taken place (1757) in the English ministry, and 
William Pitt (afterwards Lord Chatham) being placed at the 
head of the administration, everything immediately assumed a 
new aspect. 

22. This great man, who was popular in America, addressea 
a circular letter to the colonial governors, assuring them that 
an effectual force should be sent from England, and calling 
upon them to raise as large bodies of men as the population 
would allow. The num-ber of men brought into the service 
was 50,000, of which 20,000 were raised in America. Three 
expeditions were resolved on for the year 1758 ; the first 
against Louiaburg, the second against Ticonderoga, and the 
third against Fort dit Quesne. 

23. In the expedition against Louisburg, the land forces 
amounting to 14,000, were led by General Amherst, next to 
w'nom in command wab General Wolfe ; and a large naval 
Armament was commanded by Admiral Boscawen. After a 
considerable resistance, the fortress was surrendered, with tno 
garrison, consisting of nearly 6,000 men, and a great quanuiy 
of military stores. This was the severest blow the French had 
received since the commencement of the war. 

24. The attack on TicoiuLeroga was conducted by General 
Ahercrombie, the commander-in-chief; but, owing to his inju- 
dicious management, he was repulsed with the loss of aboul 
2,000 men. A detachment of 3,000 men, under Colonel Bi ad* 
Ureet took and destroyed Fort Frontenac. The expedition 



276 UNITED STATES 

against Fort du Qiiesne was concluded by General Fo''bes., who 
took possession of the post, and changed its name to Fittsburg. 
After the disaster at Ticonderoga, AhercroinMe fell into con- 
tempt, and the chief command was given to General Amherst. 

25. The campaign of 1759 had for its object the entire con- 
quest of Canada. The British army was divided into three 
parts : the first division, under General Wolfe., was to make an 
attempt on Quebec; the second, under General Amherst. wiM 
to attack Ticonderoga and Croum Point ; and the third, undt" 
Gmeral Prideaux, was to be directed against the strongnold 
of Niagara. 

26. On tlie approach of Amherst, Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point were evacuated. Niagara was besieged, and, after a se- 
vere action, it fell into the hands of the English ; but, four 
days before the conquest, General Prideaux was killed. 

27. By the taking of these forts, great advantages were 
gained ; but a far more important and arduous entei'prise was 
intrusted to the heroic General Wolfe. This was the reduction 
of Quebec, a place of immense strength, both by nature and 
art, and protected by about 10,000 men, under tliat able and 
hitherto successful general, Montcalm. But the difficulties 
which the English general had to surmount served only to in- 
flame his ardent mind, and his military enthusiasm. Having 
landed his army, consisting of 8,000 men, on the island of Or- 
leans, below Quebec, he made some unsuccessful attempts to 
reduce the city. 

28. He then conceived the bold design of scaling, during 
the night, a steep precipice on the north bank of the river, and 
in this way to reach the Heights or Plains of Abrahatn behind 
the city, where it was least defensible. This he effected before 
Montcalm was aware of his design, and the whole army was 
arrayed on the plains before sunrise. A hot battle followed, 
in which the French wei'e entirely defeated, with the loss of 
1,500 men, and their four principal conunanders : the English 
lost 500, together with their two first officei's. The two great 
rivals, Wolfe and Montcalm.^ were both mortally wounded be- 
fore the battle was terminated. 

29. Wolfe, havnig received a fatal wound, was carried to 
the rear ; where, at his request, he was raised up, that he might 
lake a view of the engagement. Faint with the loss of blood 
Qiid his eyes dimmed by the approach of death, he was roused 
at the words, " They fly, they fly ! " " Who fly ? " he ex- 
claimed. He was told, "The enemy!" "Then," said the 
hero, " I die contented" ; and, having said this, he expired in 
the moment of victory. — The same military enthusiasm ani- 
mated Montcalm. Being told that he could not riontinue mf)re 



' UNITED STATES. 277 

ihan a few hours, he said, "It is so much the better; I shall 
aot then live to see the -"urrender of Quebec." 

30. Five days after this battle, the city of Quebec surren- 
dered to the English army and fleet ; and, in the following yeat 
( 1760), all Canada submitted. By the peace of Paris, in 1768. 
ihe French northern possessions in America — Canada, Nova 
6cotia, and the island of Cajje Breton — were confirmed to 
Britain. The success of this war, joyful as it was to Engfand, 
was still more so to the Colonies, who now expected a release 
from the heavy calamities which they had long sufiered from 
hostilities with the French and Indians. 



SECTION III. 

Disputes between Great Britain and the Colonies ; Commence' 
ment of Hostilities ; Battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill ; 
Declaratio7i of Independence. — Frmn A. D. 1763 to 1776. 

' 1. The colonists, from the tuTie of the first settlement of the 
country, had been ardently attached to liberty, and extremely 
jealous of any invasion of their rights. The emigrants from 
England to America had been induced to leave their native 
land principally byjhe idea that they might escape from op- 
pression and arbitrary power, and might enjoy freedom, both 
civil and religious. They cherished, however, a strong attach- 
ment to the parent country as the land of their forefathers, 
always acknowledged themselves subjects of the crown of 
Gieat Britain, and were loyal and faithful subjects. 

2. Notwithstanding their various embarrassments, the long 
and distressing wars with the Indians and French, and the 
severe restrictions which were imposed by Great Britain upon 
their trade, and which were borne, in some instances, with ex 
treme impatience, — yet, amidst these difficulties, the Colcuiea 
made rapid progress in wealth and population, and in ah he- 
arts of civil life ; and, at the peace of 1763, they had risen to 
a high state of prosperity. They abounded in spirited an J ac- 
tive individuals of all denominations. 

3. After the conquest of Canada had freed them from the dis 
tresses occasioned by war with the French and savages, and 
given them a short interval of repose, troubles assailed them 
from a new and unexpected quarter. The mother country be- 
gan speedily to assert her sovereignty over them, and to inter- 
fere in their civil concerns in a manner which excited the most 
Btrriois alarm. 

24 



278 UNITED STATES. 

4. The war, which Great Britain had carried on ii» d-ui(,a&, 
of her American possessions, had made a vast addition to h«>« 
national debt and greatly increased the bm-dens of her sub- 
jects ; and a plan of raising a revenue, by taxing the Colonies, 
was formed by parliament, under pretext that the mother coun- 
try might obtain indemnification for the expenses of the war. 

5. But It was maintamed, on the other hand, by the Colonies, 
that, if the war had been waged by Great Britain on their ac- 
count, it was because they were useful to her ; that, by the 
advantages which she derived from the monopoly of their com- 
merce, she was interested in their defence ; that, by the happy 
termination of the war, they derived no benefit which was not 
a source of ultimate profit to the mother country ; and that 
their own exertions had been greater in proportion to their 
ability than hers. They also urged their claim to all the rights 
of English subjects, and maintained that, of these rights, none 
was more indisputable than that no subject could be deprived 
of his property but by his own consent, expressed in person or 
by his representatives. 

6. In the beginning of the year 1764, parliament passed an 
act by which duties were laid on goods imported from such 
West India islands as did not belong to Great Britain ; and Mr. 
Grenville, the prime minister, proposed a resolution, " that it 
would be proper to charge certain stamp duties on the Colo- 
nies," but postponed the consideration of that subject to a fu- 
ture session. These proceedings occasioned great uneasiness 
and alarm, and were remonstrated against by the Colonies. 

7. The system, however, was persisted in by parliament, 
and, early in the next year, the Stamp Act was passed (1765), 
laying a duty on all paper used for instruments of writing, as 
deeds, notes, &c., and declaring writings on unstamped mate- 
i?'ils to be null and void. The news of this measure caused a 
great sensation throughout the country. The assembly of Vir* 
'inia, being in session when the information arrived, first de- 
clared its opposition to the act by a number of spirited resolu- 
tions, which were brought forward by Patrick Henry ; and the 
assembly of Massachusetts^ before what had been done in Vir- 
ginia was known, besides passing resolutions opposed to tho 
claims of the British parliament, took measures to secure the 
benefit of united counsels in the common cause, and proposed 
a General Congress, from the several Colonies, to be held at 
New York. In all the Colonies, a determined spirit of resist' 
Bnce was soon manifested. 

8. When the news of the stamp act arrived at Bostcii, the 
Dells were muffled, and rung a funeral peal. The crown offi- 
cers were insulted ; their houses broken open or demolished 



UNITED STATES. 27t> 

and, among other outrages, the populace des royed a valuable 
collection of original papers belonging to the governor, Thomas 
Hutchinson^ and relating to the history of America. A similai 
spirit was manifested in the other Colonies ; and, in New York, 
tlie act was hawked about the streets with a Death's head 
affixed to it, and styled " The Folly of England and the Ruin 
of America." The merchants also associated, and agreed to 
a resolution not to import any more goods from Great Briain 
miti th.^ act should be repealed. 

9. A Colonial Congress, consisting of 28 delegates, appoint- 
eJ bv the assemblies of nine of the Colonies, assembled on tlie 
7tn of October, in 1765, at Neio York, and published a declar- 
ation ol their rights and their grievances, insisting particularly 
on the right of exclusively taxing themselves, and complaining 
loudly of the stamp act. The merchants of Boston, New 
York, and Philadelphia, entered into an agreement not to im- 
port or sell any British goods so long as the offensive measure 
should be continued. So general was the opposition, that thf» 
stamp officers, in ail the Colonies, Avere compelled to resign ; 
and the act was never executed. A change took place in the 
British cabinet, and through the exertions of Mr. Pitt, Lord 
Ccnnden, and others, the stamp act was repealed in Mal'ch, 
1766 ; but the repeal was preceded by a declaration of parlia- 
ment, " that they had, and of right ought to have, power to 
bind the Colonies in all cases whatsoever." 

10. The favorite project of the British ministry, of taxing 
America, was still persisted in ; and in June, 1767, an act was 
passed by parliament, imposing a duty on tea, paper, glass 
and painters'' colors. To render the act effectual, a custom- 
house was established in Boston, A'ith a board of commissioners 
for the Colonies ; and in September, 1768, two British regi- 
ments arrived in the town. Another most arbitrary measure 
of parliament, which gave great offence, was a proposition that 
offenders in Massachusetts should be sent to England for trial. 

11. Tho feelings of the Americans were now greatly exas- 
perated. To a free and high-spirited people, the presence of 
an insolent soldiery, sent with a design to intimidate them, 
could not but be extremely odious and provoking. The causes 
of irritation were numerous ; quarrels daily occurred between 
the soldiers and the populace ; and on the 5th of March, 1770, 
an affray took place between a detachment of troops under 
Captain Preston, and some of the inhabitants of Boston, in 
which three of the latter were killed, and five dangerously 
wounded. The funeral of the deceased was conducted with 
great pomp and ceremony, expressive of the public grief ant' 
u>dignation. After the feelings of the people had, in som« 



280 UJNITED STATES. 

measure, subsidod, Captain Preston and his soldiers wert 
brought to trial befoi-e a court of the province, and a jury of 
the neighborhood. They had for their counsel John Adams 
and Josiah Quincy, two leaders of the popular party, and -were 
all acquitted, except two, who were convicted of manslaughteTj^l 

12. During this year (1770), Lord North was appointeO^ 
prime minister of England, and all the duties wore repealed 
except the one of three j'jence per pound on tea. By this the 
British ministry intended to establish their right to raise a 
revenue in the Colonies; but the Americans were determined 

X resist the principle of taxation in every shape. — The year I 
of 1771, in relation to the matters in controversy, was not dis- I 
tinguished by any important event. ! 

13. In July, 1772, the representatives of Massachusetts 
passed resolutions, expressing great dissatisfaction with the 
new regulation of the British government, by which the gov 
crnor was to have his support from the crown. This measure ; 
they declared to be " an infraction of their charter." But the 
governor defended the measure. The inhabitants of Boston 
held a town meeting in November, in relation to this subject, j 
A committee of correspondence was appointed ; and a report, i 
setting forth the rights and the grievances of the colonists, was ! 
printed and circulated through the towns of the province. The 
towns generally responded to the report, declaring their opinion j 
that their charter had, in many respects, been grossly violated. { 

14. In 1773, the inhabitants of Neio York and Philadelphia j 
returned to England the tea ships which were sent to those ] 
cities ; but the people of Boston having failed in their attempts i 
to cany into effect the same measure, about twenty persons, i 
disgu'.'sed like Indians, went on board the vessels, and threw the ■■ 
tea, consi' sting of 342 chests, into the harbor. \ 

15. — (1774.) — In consequence of these measures, parlia- ; 
ment passed further hostile acts ; and Boston, being regarded j 
as the chief seat of rebellion, was selected as an object of ven- ; 
goance. By o^e of the acts, called the " Boston Port BUI,'' ; 
all intercom'se by water with that town was prohibited ; the : 
government and public officers were removed to Salem • and ; 
power was given to the governor to send persons charged with j 
high treason to be tried in Great Britain. A great part of the , 
inhabitants of Boston were suddenly deprived of the means of | 
subsistence ; but their sufferings were relieved by contributions ■ 
forwarded from different parts. All these vindictive measures i 
only served more firmly to unite the Americans in their resist- 
ance to the mother country. ! 

16. In May, General Gage, the commander-in-chief of the j 
British forces in North America, arrived in Boston, rommis- ; 



UIMTED STATES. 2Sl 

sioned as Governor of Massachusetts, in place of Hutc.iinson, 
anci, shortly after, two more regiments landed with artillery and 
military stores, — events which indicated the determination of 
the Br'lish government to reduce the Colonies to submission by 
force of arms. 

17. When the Americans saw, by these proceedings, that a 
reconciliation was no longer to be expected, and that their 
rights were to be defended by an appeal to force, they took 
measures to prepare themselves for the contest. A commit- 
tee of correspondence was formed by distinguished men in 
RIassachusetts, who framed an agreement, called a Solemn 
League and Covenant, by which they determined to suspend 
all intercourse with Great Britain, until their rights should be 
restored. 

18. The general court of Massachusetts resolved that a con- 
gress of the Colonies was necessary : they also enrolled a body 
of men to be prepared for marching at a minute's notice, and 
therefore called minule-inen ; appointed five general officers to 
command them ; formed a committee of safety ; and took 
measures to collect military stores at Concord and Worcester. 

19. On the 4th of September, deputies from eleven of the 
Colonies met at Philadelphia, and the next day, having formed 
themselves into a congress, chose Peyton Randolph, of Vir- 
ginia, president, and Charles Thompson, secretary. This body, 
generally known by the name of the First Continental Con- 
gress, was composed of 55 members, most of whom were men 
of distinguished character and talents. They published a de- 
claration of the rights of the Colonies ; agreed to suspend all 
commercial intercourse with Great Britain ; and drew up an 
address to the king, another to the people of Great Britain, 
and a third to the Colonies. These able state papers were 
highly applauded by Lord Chatham in the British parliament. 

20. The disparity between the two contending parties was 
immense. Great Britain was the first maritime power in the 
world, and possessed great wealth, vast resources, well-disci- 
plined armies, and experienced and able military and nuvai 
commanders. The Colonies possessed none of these advau 
tnges, and had no general government to control the contending 
iiilcrests of the different parts. They were almost entire.iy 
destitute of experienced officers, of disciplined troops, of arma 
and munitions of war, of armed ships, and of revenue. Theii 
want of these essential articles, particularly of regular and dis- 
ciplined troops, of good arms and ammunition, and more es. 
pecially of money, embarrassed all their operations during the 
continuance of the war. Their resolution tr engage in the un- 
equal contest was regarded, in England, with the utmost COU' 

24* 



282 tJNlTED STATES. 

tempt ; and it was confioenlly expected, by the British ministry 
that their efforts would be speedily and easily crushed. 

21. — (1775.) — When the proceedings of the American 
congress were laid before parliament, a joint address of both 
Houses was presented to the king, declaring that a rebellion 
actually existed in Massachusetts, and beseeching his majesty 
to suppress it. In the winter and spring of 1775, the army m 
Boston was increased to 10,000, which number was deemed 
suffic.ent to reduce the rebellious Colonies to submission. 

22 Soon after, a bill was brought forward in parliameni by 
Lord North, which he termed a conciliatory proposition, ihe 
purport of which was, that when any colony should make pro- 
vision for contributing its proportion to the common defence, 
and make such provision also for the support of its civil gov- 
ernment as should be approved by his majesty and the parlia- 
ment, the British government would abstain from taxing such 
colony, and confine itself to commercial regulations. The 
design of this proposition was to unite Great Britain, and di- 
vide America ; but it was universally rejected by the Colonies, 
and by the congress assembled at Philadelphia. It was derided 
also by the friends of America in parliament as nugatory, 
since it was the right, not the mode, of taxation which the Col- 
onies disputed. 

23. In February, General Gage sent a party of troops to 
Salem, to seize some cannon which had been lodged there ; 
but finding, on their arrival, that the cannon had been removed, 
they marched back unmolested. In April, he sent another 
body of troops, under Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn, to 
seize some military stores at Concord. The march, though in 
the night, was discovered ; and early in the morning of the 
19th of the month, as they passed through Lexington, about 
70 mer^ oelonging to the minute company of that town, wei'e 
found on the green, or common, under arms. Major Pitcairn, 
riding up to them, called out, " Disperse, disperse, yeu rebels ! " 
Not being obeyed, he discharged his pistol, and ordered liis 
troop? to fire Eight Americans were killed, and several 
wounied. Thus began the sanguinary contest which issued 
m the establishment of American Independence. 

24. Having dispersed the militia at Lexington, the British 
troops proceeded to Concord, and destroyed some military 
stores collected m that town. On their return, the passage of 
a bridge over Concord River was disputed ; a skirmish ensued, 
which was attended with some loss on both sides. The peopie 
of the neighborhood were soon in arms, and attacked the re- 
treating troops m all directions ; some firing behind stone walla 
and tre3s, and others pressing upon their rear, till they had re 



UNITED STATES. 283 

turned as far as Lexington, where they were joined by a rt n- 
forcement, which secured their retreat to Boston, after a loss 
if G5 killed and 180 wounded. Of the Americans, 50 were 
killed and 34 wounded. 

25. The affair at Lexington was a signal for war. The 
foi'ts, magazines, and arsenals, throughout the Colonies, were 
instantly secured for the use of the Americans. Regular forces 
were raised ; an army of about 20,000 men was collected in the 
vicinity of Boston, and soon increased by a considerable body 
of troops from Connecticut, under Colonel (afterwards General) 
Putnam. By these forces the British troops were closely blocked 
up in the peninsula of Boston. 

26. An expedition, commanded by Colonel Ethan Allen and 
Colonel Benedict Arnold, was sent toTiconderoga ; and another 
commanded by Colonel Warner, to Croion roinl ; and both 
those important fortresses were soon secured. 

27. The provincial congress of Massachusetts, which was in 
session at the time of the affair at Lexington, despatched an 
account of the transaction to England, with depositions to prove 
that the Brhish troops were the aggressors. They declared 
their loyalty to the crown, but protested that they would not 
submit to the tyranny of the British ministry. " Appealing to 
Heaven for the justice of our cause," they added, " we deter- 
mine to die or be free." 

28. The second Continental or General Congress met at Phil- 
adelphia, in May, and the appellation of the United Colonics 
was assumed. The congress recommended the observance of 
a day of humiliation, to implore the blessings of Heaven on 
their sovereign, the King of Great Britain, and the interposition 
of Divine aid to remove their grievances, and restore harmony 
^etween \i\e parent state and the Colonies, on constitutional 
terms. 

29. Towards the end of May, considerable reinforcementa 
of British troops arrived at Boston, together with Generals 
Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, officers who had acquired a 
high reputation in the preceding war between England and 
France. Martial law was proclaimed; but a show of recoH' 
ciliation was still held out by the offer of General Gage, in the 
king's name, of pardon to all such as should return to their al« 
iegiance, with the exception of two of the most active patriotn 
in Massachusetts, John Hancock and Samuel Adams, the for- 
mer of whom was chosen president of the general congress 
then in session. 

30. It was determined by the Americans to annoy, and, if 
possible, to dislodge, the British forces in Boston ; and, for this 
purpose, a detachment of 1000 men, under the command of 



284 UNITED STATES. 

Colonel Fresco ft , was ordered, on the 16th of June, to throvr 
up a breast-work on Bunker Hill, in Charlestown. They 
prosecuted the design so silently and 'expeditiously, that they 
had nearly completed the redoubt by the return of daylight, 
without being discovered. Soon after the dawn, the British 
began to cannonade the works from their ships ; and, in the 
morning, the Americans received a reinforcement of 500 mer. 

31. About noon (17^^ of June), General Hoioe, at the head 
!)f 3,000 men, advanced to make an attack upon the w( rks. 
The fire of the Americans was dreadful, insomuch that the 
whole British line recoiled, and was thrown into great disorder; 
but, from the failure of ammunition, the Americans were 
obliged to retreat. The loss of the English amounted to 1,054 
in killed and wounded ; that of the Americans, to 453 ; and 
among their killed was the lamented Major -General Warren, 
who hastened to the field of battle as a volunteer. While the 
British troops were advancing, orders were given to set fire to 
Charlestown ; and the whole town, consisting of about 400 
houses, was laid in ashes. This barbarous act, which was of 
no advantage to the enemy, served still further to exasperate 
the Americans. 

32. Congress resolved on measures of defence ; drew up a 
second petition to the king, and addresses to the people of 
Great Britain and of Canada, setting forth their reasons for 
taking up arms ; and organized a continental army. It was a 
point of immense importance to select a suitable man for com- 
mander-in-chief. Fortunately, their choice, by a unanmnous 
vote, fell upon George Washington, a member of their body 
from Virginia, who, in the late French war, had distinguished 
himself by his courage and talents. He received from nature 
a mind of extraordinary capacity, and was endowed with an 
uncommon degree of perseverance, prudence, and bravery ; 
while the soundness of his judgment, the elevation of his char- 
acter, and the purity of his motives, were calculated to inspire 
the highest confidence. He entered immediately upon the du« 
lies of his office ; and, on the 2d of July, he arrived at Cr/?n. 
bridge, where he established his head-quarters. 

33. Congress, after choosing the commander-in-chief, ap 
pointed four major-generals and eight brigadiers for the coiiti 
ncntal army. The major-generals were Arlemas Ward, Charles 
Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam ; the brigadier-gene- 
rals, Seth Pomroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, Wil- 
Ham Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and 
Nathaniel Greene. Horatio Gates was appointed adjutant- 
general, with the rank of brigadier. 

34 In pursuance of a plan of guarding the frontiers by 



UNITED STATES 285 

taking Canada, an expedition was sent against that provujce 
under the command of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery , 
but the former returning, to hold a treaty with the Indians, 
was prevented by sicitness from again joining the army, and 
the chief command devolved upon the latter. Having taken 
Fort Chamhlee and St. John''s, he advanced to Montreal., which 
suT'rendered without resistance ; thence he proceeded rapidly 
to Quebec. 

35. Colonel Arnold., with about 1,000 men, had been sent 
from Cambridge to penetrate to that city, by way of the Ken- 
nebec and the wilderness. After a march, in which he and 
his troops were exposed to almost incredible sufferings, he 
joined Montgomery before Quebec, in November. They made 
a desperate attempt to carry the city by assault, in which, after 
displaying the highest intrepidity, they were repulsed, with a 
loss of upwards of 400 killed and wounded ; and General Mont- 
gomery was slain. Early in the next season, the Americans 
entirely evacuated Canada. 

36. While hostilities were thus carried on in the north, the 
inhabitants of Virginia, who had, from the commencement of 
the controversy, been in the foremost rank of opposition, were 
engaged in a contest with the royal governor, Lord Dunmore, 
whose intemperate measures advanced the cause which he at- 
tempted to overthrow. In the end, he was forced to take 
refuge with his family on board a man-of-war. For some 
time, he carried on a predatory warfare against the Colonies, 
by landing detachments of troops from the ships ; and, after 
having destroyed or taken the military stores of the Colonies at 
Norfolk, he caused that town, on the 1st of January, 1776, to 
be laid in ashes ; but he was finally driven from the coast. 

37. In like manner the royal governors of North and South 
Carolina were expelled by the people ; and, before the end of 
the year 1775, all the old governments of the Colonies were 
dissolved. Many adherents to Great Britain (styled Tories)^ 
however, remained in the country ; and in some of the Colonies 
triny were numerous and powerful : part of them, being men 
ci piinciple, remained quiet; others were active in their hos- 
tilily, and contributed to weaken the opposition .o the British 
arms. — In October, General Gage embarked for England, and 
tin chief command of the British forces devolved upon General 
Sir William Howe. 

38. — (1776.) — The American army, investing Boston, 
amounted. to about 15,000 men; but it was unaccustomed to 
discipline, and, in a great measure, destitute of good arms, am- 
munition, clothing, and experienced officers ; and for want of 
gunpowder, and for othev reasons, was rendered imictive during 



286 UNITED STATES. 

the summer and autumn of 1775. In the latter part cf Jvo 
winter, General Wasliington resolved to expel the British from 
Boston : in order to divert their attention, a severe cannonade 
was commenced upon them by the Americans, on the 2d of 
March ; and, on the night of the 4th, a battery was erected, 
with surprising despatch, on Dorchester Heights^ a position 
from which the American troops might greatly annoy the ships 
in the harbor and the soldiers in the town. 

39. General Howe prepared to attack the works, but a storm 
prevented him till they were rendered so strong that it was 
deemed inexpedient. The only alternative now was to evacu- 
ate the town ; which having been done. General Washington 
on the 17th of March, entered triumphantly into Boston, where 
he was joyfully received, as a deliverer, by the oppressed in- 
habitants. 

40. On the 28th of June, an attack was made by Sir Peter 
Parker, with a naval force, on the fort on Sullivan's Island, with 
a design to reduce Charleston, in South Carolina. The fire was 
returned with great effect from the fort, which was commanded 
by Colonel Moultrie^ and the British were compelled to retreat, 
with much damage to their ships, and with a loss of upwards 
of 200 men in killed and wounded. - The fort, in compliment 
to the commander, was, from that time, called Fort Moultrie. 

41. The news of the battle of Bunker Hill excited astonish- 
ment in England. The partisans of the ministry had been 
accustomed to speak of the American troops in terms of the 
utmost contempt ; but it now appeared that they were engaged 
in a sanguinary contest of doubtful issue ; and Lord Chatham^ 
Burke, and Fox, endeavored, but without success, to produce 
a change in the measures of government. The ministry de- 
termined to employ a powerful force to reduce the Colonies, 
and obtained an act of parliament, authorizing them to take 
into pay 16,000 mercenaries, the troops of the Landgrave of 
Hesse and the Duke of Brimsioick. All trade and intercourse 
with the Colonies were prohibited ; and their property on tlie 
high seas was declared to be forfeited to those who should 
capture it. The whole force, now destined against Ar«er.ca. 
amounted to about 50,000 men. 

42. The controversy had hitherto been, not for independ- 
ence, but for constitutional liberty. But the hostile measures 
of the British government produced a strong sensation in thn 
Colonies, and they soon began to think seriously of dit'solving 
entirely their allegiance to the mother country. A gi sat ana 
sudden change now took place in the public mind, wh'ch was, 
m part, brought about by a series of papers written by Thomas 
Paine and published under the signature of Common Liens^^ tho 



UNITED STATES. 2S7 

design of which was to prove the expediency and necessity of 
a declaration of independence. On tlie 7th of June, a motior 
was made, in congress, by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, foi 
declaring the Colonies free and independent. A committee, 
consisting of Jefferson, Adams, Fra?iklin, Sherman, and Living- 
ston, was appointed to prepare a Declaration of Independence 
and, after a full discussion, the question was carried, by a vot« 
nearly unanimous, on the memorable 4</t of July, 1776. 

43. The Declaration thus concludes : " We, therefore, fho 
representatives of the United States of America, in general 
congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of tl e 
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and 
by the authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnlj 
publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of 
right ought to be. Free and Independent States ; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and thai 
all political connectio'n between them and the state of Great 
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as free 
and independent states, they have full power to levy war, con- 
clude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do 
all other acts and things which independent states ought to do. 
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on 
the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to 
each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." 

SECTION IV. 

Revolutionary War continued ; — Battles of Brooklyn, White 
Flains, Trenton, Princeton, Bennington, Brandyioine, Ger- 
niantoivn, Stillwater ; Surrender at Saratoga ; Battles of 
Monmouth, Rhode Island, Camden, Coio-Pens, Guilford, 
Eutaw Springs ; Surrender at Yorktoion ; — Independence 
acknowledged. — From A. D. 1776 to 1783. 

1 Before the evacuation of Boston by Sir William Howe, 
U ndC occurred to General Washington, that the occupation of 
the important and central position of the city of New York 
would be a favorite object with the Britisli ; and he had de- 
tached General Lee, from Cambridge, to put Long Island and 
New York in a posture of defence. Soon after the evacuation 
he followed witli the most of his army. 

2. Sir William Howe, after having evacuated Boston, sailed 
with his aimy to Halifax, where he waited about two months, 
and thei directed his course towards New York, and arrived, 



288 UNITED STATES. 

in June, off Sandy Hook. He was soon after pined by }ii& 
brother, Admiral Lord Hoiue., with a reinfoi'cement from Eng- 
and. General Clinton arrived about the same time, wnh troops 
brought back from the south. The British troops, which were 
soon collected, amounted to upwards of 24,000, by some stated 
as higti as 30,000. To meet this formidable army, Washing- 
Ion had only between 11,000 and 12,000 men, many of them 
n;!litia, unaccustomed to military duty. 

3. Lord Howe, being commissioned by the king to offev 
terms of peace before military operations were commenced, 
£ent a ch'cular letter on shore, directed to the royal governori 
of the Colonies. This paper came to the hands of General 
Washington, who forwarded it to the president of congress. 
The terms, which amounted to nothing more than a promise of 
pardon and favor to those who should return to their allegi- 
ance, and assist in restoring public tranquillity, were not listened 
to. The Americans felt, that, having taken up arms to defend 
their indisputable rights, they were conscious of no guilt, and 
wanted no pardon. Lord Howe despatched a letter to General 
Washington, directed to George Washington, Esq. ; and another 
was sent by General Howe, directed to George Washington, 
SfC. SfC. SfC. ; but Washington declined to receive them, or any 
writing, unless directed to him in his proper character. 

4. Both sides prepared seriously for action. On the 27th 
of August, an engagement took place between Brooklyn and 
Flathush. The Americans, under the command of Generals 
Futnani and Sullivan, being surrounded, and exposed to the 
fire of the Hessians in front, and of the British troops in the 
rear, were totally defeated, with a loss, according to their own 
statement, of upwards of 1,000, and according to that of the 
British, of 3,000. Three American generals, Sullivan, Lord 
Stirling, and WoodhiiU, fell into the hands of the enemy, 
whose loss was only about 300 or 400. During the heat of 
the engagement. General Washington crossed over from New 
York to Brooklyn, and made an admirable retreat, on the night 
uf the 29th. It was effected under the cover of a thick fog, 
?!• th such silence, ordei, and secrecy, that the British army, 
which was encamped only a quarter of a mile distant, did nut 
discover it till it was too late to annoy the Americans. 

5. Washington, with a part of his army, retired to WJiite 
Plains, where, on the 28th of October, an engagement took 
place, in which several hundred fell. General Howe soon 
after reduced Fort Washington, on the Hudson, containing a 
garrison of upwards of 2,800 men, under Colonel Magaw, 
This was the severest blow that the American arms had yet 
susiamed. The British were now in possession of the city of 
New York, Long Island, and Staten Island. 



UNITED STATES. 289 

6. Washington, having crossed the Hudson, retreated tlirougli 
Mew Jersey, by Newark, New Brunswick, Princeton, and Tren- 
ton , tlience he crossed over to the Pennsylvania side of tlie 
Delaware, being closely pursued by the British army, under 
Lord Cornwcdiis, who arrived at the river just after the Amer- 
ican army had elfected the passage. The British troops, in the 
full career of success, were ordered into winter cantonments. 

7. The aspect of American atfairs was now exceedingly 
ijloDmy. The army was greatly reduced by the loss of men 

n killed, wounded, and taken ; and by the departure of those 
whos'3 enlistments had expired. To add to the disasters. Gen- 
era! Ckarles Lee had been surprised and taken prisoner ai 
Baskenridge ; and the British had seized upon Rhode Island. 
The whole number of troops under Washington, on the west 
side of the Delaware, amounted to only about 3,000, many of 
whom were without shoes or comfortable clothing. In this 
darkest hour during the war, General Howe issued a procla- 
mation, offering pardon to all who would submit to royal au- 
thority ; and many persons abandoned the American cause and 
joined the British. 

8. Washington, aware of the importance of striking some 
successful blow, in order to animate the expiring hopes of the 
country, on the night of the 25th of December, crossed the 
Delaware, fell on the enemy, at Trenton^ by surprise, and took 
the whole body, consisting of about 1,000 Hessians, whose 
commander. Colonel Raid, was slain. He then proceeded to 
Princeton, and on the 3d of January, 1777, defeated a pai-ty 
of British troops, who lost about 100 men ; and forced about 
300 to surrender, who had taken refuge in the College. In 
this action, General Mercer, of Virginia, was killed. These 
bold and decisive measures of Washington revived the droop- 
ing spirits of the Americans, and surprised and confounded 
the enemy. 

9. During the gloomy period of the latter part of the yeai 
1*776, congress manifested the greatest firmness; they increas- 
ed ihe power of Washington, investing him with supreme and 
fliiimited command; took measures for raising an army for 
ju'ee years, or during the war ; sent agents to Europe lo 
iohcit the friendship and aid of foreign powers ; endeavoured 
o rouse the people by an impressive address ; and, in 1777, 
'ormed Articles of Confederation between the Thirteen States, 

10. — (1777.) - In March, General Howe sent up the Hud- 
son a detachment to destroy some stores at Peekskill ; and in 
April, another detachment of 2,000 men, under General Tryon, 
proceeded to Danhury, in Connecticut, destroyed valuable 
stores collected there, and burnt the most of the town. During 

25 



290 UNI 1 ED STATES 

their return, there took place, between the British ard the Con- 
necticut militia, some skirmishes, in oi 8 of which the Americar 
commander. General Wooster, was killed. 

11. On the opening of the campaign in the spring, the prin 
cipal American army was increased to but little more than 
7,000 men. General Howe, after having attempted in vain to 
provoke Washington to an engagement, retired from New Jer- 
sey to Staten Island ; afterwards embarked with 16,000 men 
on board his ships ; entered the ChesapeaKe, and landed at ths 
t\ead of navigation on Elk river. It being obviously his object 
.0 occupy Philadelphia, Washington put his army in motion,, 
m order, if possible, to prevent it. On the 11th of September, 
a battle was fought on the Brandywine, in which the American 
forces, after a brave resistance, were obliged to yield to supe- 
rior numbers and discipline, with the loss of about 1,000 men 
in killed, wounded, and taken. Among the wounded was the 
young Marquis de Lafayette, who had recently entered as a 
volunteer in the American service, and had been appointed a 
major-general. The loss of the jiritish was about 500 men. 

12. Immediately after this battle, General Howe took pos- 
session of Philadelphia; and the principal part of his army 
was stationed at Germantown, seven miles from the city. It 
now became necessary for him to take the forts on the Dela- 
ware, in order to open a communication with the Atlantic. 
This was effected after having cost the British a loss of three 
or four hundred men. While a detachment was absent to ac- 
complish this purpose, Washington attacked the army at Ger- 
mantown, on the 4th of October, but was repulsed, with a loss 
of about 1,200 men in killed, wounded, and prisoners ; while 
the loss of the enemy was only about half as great. Aftei 
these transactions, th-? British army went into winter-quarters 
in Philadelphia. 

13. D iring these inaus}>^cious operations in the Middle States 
important events were taking place in the north. Early in the 
spring, it was determined in Eugland to invade the States 
tlu' »ugh Canada ; and, in June, a British army, amounting to 
7,000 men, besides Canadians and Indians, commanded by 
General Biirgoyne, passed up Lake Champlain, and laid siege 
to Ticonderoga, which was abandoned by the Arnericans under 
General St. Clair. General Burgoyne proceeded to Skee-is- 
borough [now Whitehall], and destroyed the American flotilla 
and stores ; and from thence he led his army to Fort Edward 
on the Hudson. 

14. While remaining here, he sent a detachment of 500 
English troops and 100 Indians, under Colonel Baum, to de- 
stroy a collection of stores at Bennington^ in Vermont. On 



UNITED STATES. 291 

rhe 16th of August, General Stark, with about 800 \' ■ ;-mon. 
and New Hampshire militia, killed and took prisoners the most 
of this detachment. The next day, a reinforcement of 500 
Germans, under Colonel Breyma^i, arrived, and was also de 
feated by General Stark. The loss of the British in these two 
engagements was about 600. A few days before this battle, 
General Herkimer was defeated, on the IVlohawk, by the Rril 
ish, under Colonel St. Leger, with considerable loss. «J^ 

15. General Burgopie, having collected his forces aiKl 
stores, crossed the Hudson, and encamped at Saratoga. Gen- 
eral Gates, who had recently taken the chief command of the 
American army in the northern department, having concen- 
trated his troops, advanced towards the enemy, and on the 
19th of September, an obstinate but indecisive engagement 
took place at Stillwater, in which the Americans lost between 
300 and 400, and the British about 600. The British army 
was soon after confined in a narrow pass, having the Hudson 
on one side, and impassable woods on the other ; a body of 
Americans in the rear, and an enemy of 13,000 men in front. 

16. In this exigency, Burgoyne resolved to ascertain whetlier 
h were possible to dislodge the Americans, and sent a body of 
1,500 men to reconnoitre the left wing, when a second severe 
engagertient took place, in which the British were worsted, and 
General Fraser was killed ; and the American generals, Lin- 
coln and Arnold, were wounded. Burgoyne, after having 
made ineffectual attempts to retreat, finding his provisions 
nearly exhausted, his troops worn down with incessant toil, 
and his situation becoming every hour more critical, called a 
council of war, in which it was unanimously resolved to capit- 
nlate ; and, on the 17th of October, the whole army, consisting 
of 5,752 men, exclusive of sick and wounded, surrendered at 
Saratoga, as prisoners of war, to General Gates. 

17. The surrender of Burgoyne excited the liveliest joy 
among the Americans, and inspired them with confidence with 
rogavd to their ultimate success in establishing their independ. 
ence. In 1776, congress had sent Dr. Franklin, Silas Deane 
aad Arthur Lee, commissioners to France, to solicit assistanc<! , 
but Ihough it was evident that the French court secretly wished 
fiuccess to the Americans, yet they would give no open coun 
tenance to their agents, till the news of the surrender of Bur- 
goyne. That event decided the negotiation ; and in February, 
1778, treaties of alliance, and of amity and commerce, wens 
signed at Paris. The news of this alliance was received with 
great joy in America. 

18. — (1778.) —The British ministry, after hearing of the 
fate of their northern army, began to speak of American 



292 t/NlTED STATES. 

affairs with more moderation ; and. on receiving intelligence 
of the alliance between France and the United States, their 
fears were increased. In February, Lord North laid before 
parliament bills for conciliating America ; and commissioners 
were appointed, who arrived in June, bringing terms of accom- 
modation, which, a kw years before, might have effected the 
object. But the day of reconciliation was past ; congress had 
iiovv proceeded too far, and were too sanguine with regard to 
iiltimatp success, to listen to any terms short of an acknowledg 
njent of independence. 

19. At the opening of the campaign of 1778, General Howe 
went to England, and General Sir Henry Clinton succeeded 
him as commander-in-chie'^ ■ It was now determined by the 
British to concentrate theii forces in the city of Neiv York; 
and with this view the royil army left Philadelphia in June, 
and crossed the Delaware. General Washington, penetrating 
their design, attempted to interrupt their progress. The two 
armies met on the 28th of June, near Monmouth court-house, 
in New Jersey, where a smart action took place, in which the 
Americans lost about 230, in killed and wounded, and the Brit- 
ish about 400. This day was remarkable for excessive heat, 
which occasioned great suffering and many deaths in both ar- 
mies. The British troops retreated, after the battle, to New 
York, and remained inactive during the summer. 

20. A French fleet of 12 ships of the line and 4 frigates 
under the command of Count cPEstaing^ arrived at the en- 
trance of the Delaware in July ; and a plan was concerted to 
attack the British troops at Newport, bu.t it proved unsuccess- 
ful. A short but obstinate engagement took place on Rhode 
Island, on the 29th of August, between the British under 
General Bigot, and the A nericans under General Sullivan, in 
which each lost upwards of 200 men. The next day, the 
Americans retreated from the island. At the close of the 
season, the French fleet, without having accomplished anything 
of importance, sailed to the West Indies. — In the autumn, 
General Clinton sent an expedition to Georgia ; and on the 
last of December, the British, after defeating the American 
force, took possession of Savannah. 

21. — (1779.) — Near the close of the year 1778, General 
Lincoln was appointed by congress to take the command in th/i 
southern department ;, and, during the year 1779, the principal 
theatre of the war was changed from the nortVi to the south. 
The operations, hov^ever, were not of any decisive conse- 
quence, though they gave rise to various expeditions, in which 
much valor and skill were d splayed. The exertions of the 
Americans were en/eebled from the de reciation of their bills 



UNITED STATES. 293 

of credit, and from their not deriving the benefit which tliey 
had expected from the French fleet, which was unsuccessful 
in all its enterprises. 

22. Early in the season, Sir George Collier and General 
Matthews were sent from New York to Virginia, on a predatory 
expedition. They landed at Portsmouth., and destroyed iho 
shipping and valuable stores in that vicinity, together with 
many houses. A similar expedition was afterwards sent 
against the maritime parts of Connecticut, under the con- 
mand of General Tryon, who plundered New Haven, and buinl 
Fairjield and Norwalk. """^P^* 

23. The British troops having taken and forfmed Stony 
Point., an eminence on the Hudson, an expedition, under the 
command of General Wayne., was sent, in July, to reduce it, 
which was conducted with great heroism, and the whole gar- 
rison surrendered. A similar expedition, under the command 
of General Lovell., was sent against a British pf)st at Penobscot., 
but it was unsuccessful. General Sullivan, with a strong force, 
invaded the country of the Six Natioris of Indians, who had 
been induced to take part with the British against the Ameri- 
cans, destroyed 40 of their villages, with all their corn and 
fruit-trees, and returned with little loss. 

24. General Lincoln sent a detachment of 1,500 men to 
cross the Savannah, under the command of General Ash, who 
was surprised and defeated at Briar Creek, by General Pre- 
vast, with a loss of about 300 men, in killed and taken. This 
success emboldened General Prevost to make an attempt on 
Charleston, but it was unsuccessful. Count d''Estaing having 
arrived with his fleet from the West Indies, an attack was made 
on the British under the command of General Prevost, in Sa- 
vannali, by a united force of French and Americans ; but they 
were repulsed, with the loss of about 1,000 men, among whom 
was Count Pulaski, a Polish officer in the American service. 
The French fleet soon after departed from the American coast. 

25. — (1780.) — In 1780, South Carolina was the principal 
theatre of the war. Sir Henry Clinton sailed from New York 
with a large force, and arrived at Savannah in January. Fro 
ceeding thence to Charleston, he laid siege to the city in Apri., 
and, having prepared to storm it, General Lincoln was, on the 
I7th cf May, compelled to capitulate. The garrison, consist- 
ing of about 2,500 men, together with all the adi: t male in- 
habitants, were surrendered as prisoners of war. General 
Clintoi leaving about 4,000 troops for the southern service, 
under the command of Lord Cormvallis, returned to New 
York. A proclamation was issued, inviting the Carolinians to 
the roval standard ; several recruits were, in consequence, 

25* 



294 UNITED STATES. 

procured ; but the great body of the people remained true o 
the cause of liberty and mdependence. 

26. Charleston being now in the possession of the British, 
measures were taken to secure the obedience of the interior 
country. For this purpose, a considerable force was sent to 
Camden^ under the command of Lord Raiodon. Several se- 
vere skirmishes took place between small parties, in one of 
which Colonel Buford was defeated by a body of British 
cavalry, under Colonel Tarleton ; in others, the American 
General Sumter distinguished himself. 

27. General Gates, who had been appointed to the chief 
command of the southern army, in place of General Lincoln, 
arrived at the American camp, in South Carolina, in the lattei 
part of July, and troops were collected in order to oppose the 
progress of the British. Lord Cornwallis, hearing of these 
movements, repaired to Camden^ to reinforce Lord Rawdon. 
On the 16th of August, a severe engagement took place be- 
tween the two armies, in which the Americans were defeated, 
with the loss of 700 or 800 men, among whom was the Baron 
de Kalh, a Prussian in the American service, and the second 
officer in command. The British lost about half as many. 
The greater part of the American force consisted of militia, 
who fled at th^ first fii'e, and could not be rallied. General 
Gates, with the feeble remains of his army, retreated to Hills- 
borough, in North Carolina ; and Lord Cornwallis, for some 
time after the battle of Camden, remained inactive. 

28. In July, M. de Ternay, with a French fleet, consisting 
of seven ships of the line, besides frigates, and 6,000 land 
troops, commanded by Count de Rochambeau, arrived at Rhode 
Island. This gave new life to the American counsels and 
arms ; but the fleet suddenly returned to France, and all hope 
of naval assistance vanished. The land forces, however, re- 
mained, and cooperated in the final reduction of the British 
army. 

29. The most flagrant instance of treachery during the war 
occurred this year. This was the plot of General Benedid 
Arnold for delivering into the hands of the enemy the impor- 
tant fortress of West Point, on the Hudson. Arnold had dis- 
tinguished himself at the siege of Quebec, and also at Sar- 
atoga, where he was severely wounded. He was afterwarda 
appointed to a command in Philadelphia, where his oppressive 
conduct had subjected him to a trial by a court martial, by 
which he was sentenced to be reprimanded. By these pro- 
ceedings he was highly exasperated, and determined on re- 
venge. General Washington still valued him for his bravery 
ani forner services, and, at his request, not suspecting his iiv« 



UNITED STATES. 295 

Jentions, intrusted him with the command of West Point. He 
soon entered into a negotiation with General CUnton far the 
surrender of that post ; but happily the plot was discovered in 
season to prevent the disastrous cou sequences which must have 
followed from its execution. 

30. The unfortunate Major Andre, the British agent in this 
negotiation, being apprehended and convicted as a spy, his life 
was forfeited by the laws of war, and he was condemned and 
executed. The fate of this heroic and amiable young o/licer 
was deeply regi'etted by the Americans, as well as by the 
English. Arnold escaped to the enemy, and received, es a 
reward of his treason, an appointment to the office of brigadier- 
general in the British army. -••- 

31. — (1781.) — The operations of the war, during the cam- 
paign of 1781, were chiefly in the south, and were of great 
importance. In January, the traitor Arnold, with about 1,500 
men, made a descent upon Virginia, and committed extensive 
depredations on the unprotected coast of that State. 

32. In the autumn of 1780, General Greene was appointed 
to the chief command of the American southern army. The 
first action, after he assumed the command, was fought at the 
Low-Pens, by the Americans under Colonel Morgan, against 
the English under Colonel Tarleton, who was defeated, with 
the loss of 300 killed, and 500 taken prisoners. The loss of 
the Americans, in killed and wounded, was only 72. 

33. The two armies, under Greene and Cornwallis, met near 
Guilford court-house, in North Carolina, and, on the 15th of 
March, a battle was fought, in which the British lost upwards 
of 400 men , yet they remained masters of the field. The 
loss of the Americans, who were mostly militia, was about 
equal. After this battle. General Greene marched to Camden 
where Lord Rawdon was fortified with 900 men. The British 
commander sallied out and attacked him. The loss on each 
side was between 200 and 300 men ; but the British had the 
advantage. — In September, General Greene obtained an m- 
portant victory over the British, under Colonel Stuart, at ihe 
Eutaw Sj^rings. The loss of the enemy in killed, wouiided, 
and captured, amounted to about 1,000; that of the Arreri- 
cans to 550. This action nearly finished the war n South 
Carolina. 

34. After the battle of Guilford, Lord CormvaUis pro- 
ceeded towards Virginia, to join the British army under Gen' 
eral Phillips ; and, arriving at Petersburg in May, he took the 
command of the united forces. After some predator\ war 
fare, he encamped with his army on York River, at Yojutoton 
and Gloucester Point, where he fortified himself in the best 
wanner he was able. 



S96 UNITED STATES. 

35. A plan of combined operations against the British had 
been previously concerted by Generals Washington^ Knox 
Rodiamheau, and other officers. The point of attack was not 
absolutely determined on ; but, after Lord Cornwallis had col- 
lecxed a large army in Virginia, Washington resolved to con- 
centrate his forces against him. At the same time, it waa 
given out that New York was to be the point of attack, in order 
tc induce the Eastern and Middle States to exert themselvca 
in furnishing supplies, as well as to deceive Sir Henry CJiuton, 
and prevent him from sending reinforcements to Coruvval is. 
Washington wrote letters to General Greene and others, stat:rig 
his intention to attack New York, and contrived that these let- 
ters should be intercepted by the British commander. The 
project was successful, and by a variety of military manoeuvres, 
in which he completely out-generalled Clinton, he increased 
his apprehensions about New York, and prevented his sending 
assistance to Coi-nwallis. 

36. Having, for a considerable time, kept Clinton in per- 
petual alai-m in New York, Washington suddenly quitted his 
camp at White Plains, crossed the Hudson with his army, and, 
passing rapidly through New Jersey and Pennsylvania, arrived 
at Elk river, the head-quarters of a considerable army under 
the Marquis de Lafayette. A part of the forces embarked and 
sailed for Virginia ; the rest marched by land. 

37. Clinton was not informed of the movements of Wash- 
ington till it was too late to pursue him. He then sent a strong 
detachment under the traitor Arnold., who had recently return- 
ed from Virginia, against New London in Connecticut. jFo?V 
G-risioold, which stood on a hill in Groton, nearly opposite, 
was taken by a party of the British, and the most of its garri- 
soH, together with Colonel Ledyard, the commander, were 
killed or wounded ; and New London was afterwards set on 
lire and consumed. 

38. At Chester, Washington heard the cheering news of tho 
arrival of 24 French ships of the line, under Count de Chasse, 
in the Chesapeake. Admiral Graves, with 19 British ships of 
Ih^ line, arrived soon after. The two fleets had a slight en» 
gsgcment, in which the French had the advantage, and v.-erG 
left masters of the navigation of the bay. A body of French 
troops was la»ded to cooperate with the Americans. The 
whole combined force, under Washington, closely investing 
thD British army at Yorkioivn, including continentals, French 
and militia, amounted to about 16,000. 

39. The British army being blockaded by land and sea, tho 
American forces opened the first batteries upon them early in 
'October, with such effect as to silence a part of their arl.llery 



UNITED STATES 297 

Two British redoubts were taken. The second parallel U'as 

begun on the night of the 11th; and such was the tremendous i 
eftect of the American artillery, that the British works were ' i 
demolished, their guns silenced, and no hope of relief or es- 
cape remained. On the 17th of October, Lord Cornwallia 

proposed a cessation oL" hostilities; and, on the 19th, articles ; 

of capitjiation were signed, by which the British army, mill ! 

tary stores, and shipping, fell into the hands of General Wash- i 

ington. The whole number of prisoners, exclusive of seamen, | 

amounted to 7,073 ; but many of them, at the time of the sur- ' 

render, were incapable of duty. ")<^ i 

40. As the reduction of this division of the British forces ; 
was considered as deciding the war, and establishing the inde- 
pendence of the United States, the news was everywhere re- 
ceived with emotions of inexpressible joy. Divine service was 
performed in all the American brigades ; and the commander- j 
in-chief recommended that all who were not on duty should j 
join in the worship, " tvith a serious deportment and that sensi- : 
bility of heart which the recollection of the surprising and par- I 
ticular interposition of Divine Providence in our favor claims." j 
A day of public thanksgiving was recommended by congre**. ] 
and observed throughout the United States ; and General Wash- j 
ington liberated all persons under arrest, that all might partake . 
in the general joy. 1 

41. As no rational expectation, on the part of the British, of • 
conquering the United States, now remained, the military oper- 
ations which succeeded were of little consequence. In March, 
1782, Lord North resigned his office as prime minister, and a 

new cabin3t was formed, that advised the king to discontinue , 

the further prosecution of the war. General Carleton was 
appointed to the command of the British forces in America ; | 

and, on the 30th of November, provisional articles of peace \ 

were signed, by which the independence and sovereignty of j 

the United States were acknowledged. On the 3d of Septem* » 1 
ber, 1783, there was concluded, at Versailles, by Adavu "^ 1 
Franklin Jay, and Laurens, on the part of the Americans, ' 
ani Oswald, on the part of the British, a definitive treaty of 
peace, by which the thirteen United Colonies were admitted to j 

be " Free, Sovereign, and Independent States." , 

42. Thus ended the revolutionary war ; a war which began 
in the injudicious and tyrannical endeavor to procure a revenue 
from the Colonies, and which terminated in their freedom and ' 
Bovereignty ; a war which cost Great Britain, in addition to the [ 
loss of her Colonies, the sum of about ,£100,000,000 steriing, 

and about 50,000 subjects; a war in which America lost many 

fives and much treasure, and endured every hardship and suf { 



298 UNITED STATES. 

fering incident 1o so arduous a struggle, for which she was sa 
ill prepared ; a war, the issue of which will remain an encour- 
agement to the oppressed to endeavor to rid themselves of op- 
pression, and a lesson to those who, unmindful of the rights of 
the people, would lift against them the arm of power, and 
force them to a compliance with their unjust demands ; a war 
to use the language of Mr. Pitt (the younger), " which was 
conceived in injustice, nurtured in folly, and whose footsteps 
ivere marked with slaughter and devastation. The nation Wai 
riiained of its best blood and its vital resources, for which 
nothing was received in return but a series of inefficient vic- 
tories and of disgraceful defeats ; victories obtained over men 
fighting in the holy cause of liberty, or defeats which filled 
the land with mourning for the loss of dear and valuable 
relations, slain in a detested and impious quarrel." 



SECTION V. 

The Army disbanded : The Constitution formed : Washing- 
ton's Administration : Adams''s Administration. — From 
A. D. 1783 to 1801. 

1. When the American army was to be disbanded, new and 
serious difficulties arose concerning the payment of the arrears 
of their wages and rations. The want of resources to carry 
on the war, and of supreme power to lay and collect taxes 
had driven congress to the expedient of emitting vast sums in 
bills of credit, which depreciated so much as to be of scarcely 
any value ; and, on account of the interruption of commerce, 
and the vast quantities of paper money which had been issued, 
gold and silver were, for a time, almost wholly banished from 
circulation. The depreciated currency, in which the troopa 
were paid, deprived them of a great part of what was really 
their due ; and neither officers nor soldiers could make a de 
cent appearance in point of dress, while the families of man} 
were suffering at home. 

2, The officers of the army, reposing confidence in the 
faith of their country, remained quiet till the close of the war ; 
but much agitation and alarm were, at length, excited among 
them, by the apprehension that they were to be disbanded 
without having a settlement of their accounts, or any provision 
for the payment of what was due to them. In this state of 
Vteling, that portion of the army, that was stationed at Neioiurg 
•'as th QWii into alarming agitation by an address to the officers 



UNITI 299 

privately circulated among t , , , _ , ■ passions, 

and designed to stir them up to violent ii)e;isures. 

3. At tliis crisis, the virtues of Waskington shone forth with 
peculiar and unrivalled lustre. He assembled the officers ; 
exhorted them to moderation in demanding their arrears; 
Dromised to exert all his influence in their favor ; and con- 
jured them, " as they valued their honor, as they respected the 
rights of humanity, and as they regarded the military and 
national character of the American States, to express their ut« 
most detestation of the men who were attempting to open (he 
flood-gates of civil discord, and deluge their rising empire with 
i)lood." 

4. These words, coming from one whom they had been ac 
customed to reverence, were weighty and decisive. After his 
speech, the officers voted him an address of thanks, and re- 
solved that they continued to have an unshaken confidence in 
the justice of congress and their country. Congress had but 
little money, and no effectual means of raising it ; but they 
put the accounts of the army in a train for settlement ; and 
decreed, that the officers should receive, after the end of the 
war, five years' additional pay, and each soldier eighty dollars 
besides his wages. 

5. The 3d of November was fixed upon for disbanding the 
army : the day preceding, Washington issued his farewell or- 
ders to his troops, replete with friendly advice and affectionate 
wishes for their present and future welfare. Having after- 
wards taken an atfecting leave of his officers, he repaired to 
Anna.polis\ where congress was then sitting, delivered to ths 
president his military commission, and declared that he was 
no longer invested with any public character. After this dec 
laration, he retired, followed by the gratitude of his country 
and the applause and admiration of the world, to his estate at 
Mount Vernon, and addicted himself to his favorite pursuit of 
agriculture. 

6. At the close of the war, when the States were released 
from the presence of danger, the government, under the Arti- 
cles of Confederation, was found to be weak, and wholly in* 
sufficient for the public exigencies. The authority (ff congress 
was reduced to a mere name ; a large public debt had been 
contracted, but no provision had been made for pay'.ng either 
the principal or the interest. As congress had no revenue, 
they could give no effectual value to their paper curiency; 
and the public securities fell to a very small proportion of 
their nominal value, as it was regarded as extremely doubtful 
whether the government would ever be able to redeem them. ► 

7. III this state of affairs, most of the army notes were sold 



SOO UNITED STATES. ^ 

for ibout 8 sixth or an eighth of their nominal value , so that the'' 
bra/^e mea who had fought the battles of their country, and 
endured hardships, cold, and hunger, and who had repeatedly 
received of congress solemn assurances of recompense for 
their toils and dangers, were at last forced to sell their secuii 
ties for a mere trifle, in order to keep their families from dis- 
iressing want. 

8. The necessity of a more efficient general eovernmenl 
was, at length, extensively felt ; and, in accordance with a 
proposition of the legislature of Virginia, commissioners from \ 
several of the States met, in 1786, at Annapolis, to form a 
general system of commercial regulations. But, judging that 
their authority was too limited to accomplish any desirable pur- 
pose, they adjourned, with instructions to advise the States to 
appoint delegates with more ample powers to meet the next 
year at Philadelphia. 

9. Accordingly, delegates from the different States assem 
bled in that city, in May, 1787, and elected General Washing- 
ton, who was a member of their body from Virginia, for their 
president. After four months' deliberation, the Federal Con- 
stitution was, on the 17th of September, unanimously agreed 
to by the members of the convention ; and, being presented to 
congress, it was, by that body, transmitted to the several States 
for their consideration. Being accepted and ratified, in 1788 
by eleven members of the confederacy, it became the consti- 
tution of the United States. The two dissenting States were 
North Carolina and Rhode Island ; the former adopted it in 
1789, the latter in 1790. ^ 

10. According to the constitution, the several States elected . 
their delegates to congress; and, by a unanimous vote, Wash- 
ington was chosen the first president. When the appointment 
was officially announced to him, although unwilling to leave 
his retirement, he yielded to the unanimous voice of his coun- 
try ; and bidding adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to 
domestic felicity, he proceeded, without delay, to New York, 
where congress was assembled. In his progress to that city, 
he was met by numerous bodies of people, who hailed him as 
the father of his country; triumphal arches were erected to 
commemorate his achievements ; aged women blessed him aa 
he passed ; and virgins, strewing flowers in his way, expressed 
their hope that he, who had defended the injured rights of their 
parents, would not refuse his protection to their children. 

11. On the 30th of April, he was inaugurated President of 
the United States. The ceremony was performed in the open 
gallery of the City Hall, in New York, where the oath was 
ftdministered to him, in the presence of a countless mu titude 



UNITED STATES. JOl 

of spectators. The importance of the act. the novelty of the 
scene, the dignity of tlie general's charactei, the gravity of hia 
manner, and the reverence with which he bowed to kiss the 
sacred volume, impressed upon the transaction a solemnity 
never before witnessed in America. 

12. The joy of the nation at the establishment of the new 
government, with Washington at its head, was scarcely fx- 
cceded by that of any preceding event. His personal irllu- 
ence was such as to give the government a character bcih af 
home and abroad ; and he possessed the inestimable talent of 
coUpcting the wisest counsellors, and of selecting the best opin- 
io! isfpr the direction of his own conduct. At the same time 
lliE^Kie was elected president, Jo/m Adams, who had borne a 
distinguished part in the revolution, was chosen vice-presidrnt. 
The other principal officers, at the first organization of the 
government, were Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State ; AJcx' 
under Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury ; Henry Knox, 
Secretary of War ; Edmund Randolph, Attorney-(Teneral ; 
Samuel Osgood, Postmaster-General ; and John Joy, Chief 
Justice of the United States. 

13. The beneficial efiectsof the new government, as admin 
istered by Washington and his assistants, were soon felt. Pub 
lie confidence was restored ; commerce revived ; the national 
debt, incurred during the revolutionary war, was funded, and 
brought, at once, to its par value ; and the United States sud- 
denly rose from a state of embarrassment and depression to a 
high degree of national prosperity. j< 

14. In 1790, +he country was involved in a sanguinary war 
with the Indians to the north of the Ohio, who obtained a vic- 
tory over General Harmer, and another in the following year 
(1791) over General St. Clair ; but General Wayne, \/ho suc- 
ceeded to the command of the army, completely ro ited the 
savages, and negotiated a treaty of peace, in 1795, at Gi eenville. 

15. While the United States were engaged in war with the 
Indians, they were also involved in new difficulties by the con- 
vulsions of Europe. The French ravolution had conmenced, 
and that nation was under the wild misrule of the J )ireciory. 
Claims were made on this country for assistance ; th ; feelings 
of a large portion of the community were warmly e ilisted on 
tiie side of France, and would have urged the nation into hos- 
tilities with England. But it was the policy of Washingtou's 
administration to remain neutral; yet this course o!" the gov- 
ernment met with opposition, and inci'eased the hostilit)- of tha 
two parties mto which the country had begun to be divided. 

16. Washington, having been twice unanimot >ly elected 
president and naving administered the government with great 

26 



302 UNITED STATES. 

advantage to the country, near the close of his second teim of 
four years, declined a reelection, in a valedictory address to the 
people, replete with maxims of political wisdom, and breatning 
Bentiments of the warmest affection for h: j country. At the ex- 
piration of his term, he again withdrew to his residence at Mcunt 
Vernon, and was succeeded in office, in 1797, by John Adams 

17. During Mr. Adan.s's administration, the French revolu« 
tionary government, disappointed in its object of engaging the 
United States in the war with England, pursued a course of 
insult and aggression towards them, which ended in open 
hostilities. The American government, at length, adopted 
measures of defence and retaliation ; the navy was increased 
and a provisional army was raised, of which General Wash- 
ington was appointed commander-in-chief. A few months 
afterwards, the directory government of France was over- 
thrown, and the disputes between that country and this were 
amicably adjusted. 

18. Not long after, having accepted the command of the 
army, Washington died suddenly, at Mount Vernon, on the 
14th of December, 1799, in the 68th year of his age. The 
news of the death of the great American general, statesman, 
and patriot, produced an impression that is without a parallel 
in America. The people of the United States, in accordance 
with the recommendation of congress, wore crape on the left 
arm thirty days, as a token of spontaneous and unaffected grief; 
eulogies were delivered, and funeral processions celebrated, 
throughout the country, — thus exhibiting the affecting and sub- 
lime spectacle of a nation in mourning for the loss of one 
whom they had been accustomed to regard as the father of his 
country. 

19. For several years, the nation had been much agitated 
by the conflicts of parties. At the time of the adoption of the 
federal constitution, those in favor of it were styled Federal- 
ists, and those against it, Aiiti-federalists ; but the two parties 
were afterwards generally designated by the names of Feder- 
alists and Democrats or Republicans. These parties differed 
from each other, both with regard to the foreign relations of 
the country, and on various subjects of domestic policy. The 
federalists accused the republicans of an undue partiaUty for 
France ; and the latter charged the former with a similar par- 
tiality for Great Britain. A commercial treaty with Great 
Britain, negotiated by Mr. Jay., in 1794, was severely cen- 
Bured by the republicans, and increased the animosities of the 
parties. 

20. Many of the measures of Mr. Adams's administration 
relating bt^th to foreign and domestic policy, met with much 



UNITED STATES. ■ d«lb 

opposition. Some of the acts which excited the most dissat- 
isfaction, were those of raising a standing army, -imposinor a 
direct tax, and enacting the " alien and sedition laws." In 
1801, a revolution took place in the administration of public 
aifairs ; and the republican party, having become the majority, 
succeeded in elevating their candidate, Thomas Jefferson, lo 
the presidency, in opposition to Mr. Adams. 



SECTION VI. 

Jeffersoii's Adminislration : Madisoii's Administration , War 
with Great Britain: — Monroe''s Administration i Ailams''s 
Administration. — From A. D. 1801 to 1829. 

1. The great measure of the first term of Mr. Jefferson's 
administration was the acquisition and annexation to the United 
States of the great country of Louisiana., which was purchased 
of France for the sum of $ 15,000,000. This country was 
nrst colonized by the French in 1699. In 1762, it was ceded 
by France to Spain ; and, in 1800, it was ceded back by Spain 
to France. 

2. At the time when Mr. Jefferson was raised to the presi- 
dency, the state of the country was highly prosperous, and it 
so continued during his first presidential term. The conflicts 
between the two great political parties, which had greatl)^ agi- 
tated the country during the preceding administration, still con- 
tinued ; but the party which sustained Mr. Jeflerson increased 
in strength to such a degree, that he was reelected by an al- 
most unanimous vote. 

3. The war which had, for a number of years, been raging 
between Great Britain and France, had involved nearly all the 
nations of Europe. Anierica endeavored to maintain a neu- 
trality towards the belligerents, and peaceably to carry on a 
commerce with them. Being the great neutral trader, s.'ie had 
an Intercast in extending the privileges of neutrality, which the 
belligerents, on the contrary, were inclined to contract within 
t"\3 narrowest limits. 

4. In May, 1806, the British government declared all tha 
ports and rivers, from the Elbe in Germany to Brest in France - 
to be blockaded, and all American vessels, trading with these 
interdicted ports, were liable to seizure and condemnation. In 
the ensuing November, 1806, the Emperor of France issued 
his Berlin Decree, declaring the British 'islands in a state of 
:)lockaIe, and prohibiting all intercourse witi" them. Next 



804 UNITED STATES. 

followed, in November, 1807, the British Orders in Council 
by which all neutral vessels, trading with France, were com- 
pelled to stop at a British port and pay a duty. In consequence 
of this measure, Bonaparte issued, in December, 1807, the 
Milan Decree, by which every vessel, which should submit tc 
British search, or consent to any pecuniary exactions v/hatever, 
was confiscated. 

5. In the same moath (December, 1807), on the recom- 
mendation of Mr. Jefferson, congress laid an embargo on all 
the shipping of the United States. This measure was designed 
i) vetaliate on both England and France, and also to put the 
United States in a better state of defence, by retaining their 
vessels and seamen at home ; but, inasmuch as it annihilated 
^11 foreign commerce, it operated with great severity on the 
interests of the people, and became unpopular ; and in March, 
1809, the embargo was removed, and non-intercourse with 
France and Great Britain was substituted. 

6. While matters continued in this state, new causes of prov- 
ocation continually occurred. The trade of the United States 
was harassed by both of the belligerents ; and the government 
was accused in Britain of partiality to France, and in France 
of pusillanimously submitting to the insults of Britain. 

7. But one species of injury, which was keenly felt and 
loudly complained of in this country, the United States suffered 
exclusively from Britain. This was the impressment of her 
seamen, on board the American vessels, by British men-of- 
war. The similarity of language renders it difficult to distin- 
guish American from British seamen ; but there is reason to 
believe, that, on some occasions, the British officers were not 
anxious to make the distinction, being determined, at all haz- 
ards, to procure men ; and American seamen.were compelled 
to serve in the British navy, and fight the battles of Britain. 

8. The British, on the other hand, complained that their 
seamen escaped on board American vessels, to which they 
were encouraged, and where they were carefully concealed; 
and they contended for the right of searching American mer- 
cliant vessels for their own runaway seamen. This custom 
had been long practised ; was a fruitful source of irritation . 
and was submitted to, with extreme reluctance, on the part of 
the Americans, who maintained that, under British naval offi 
cers, it was often conducted in the most arbitrary manner, 
with little regard to the feelings of those against whom it was 
enforced ; and that, under the color of this search, native sea- 
men were frequently dragged on board British vessels. 

9. The custom of searching for British seamen had hitherto 
been confined to private vessels ; but, in 1807, it was aseer 



UNITED STATES. 30m 

tained that four seamen had deserted from th-^. British scr\'ice, 
and entered on board the Chesapeake^ an American frigate, 
commanded by Conwiodore Barron^ and carrying 36 guns. 
Japtai7i Humphreys of the Leopard, an English frigate of 50 
guns, in compliance with the oi'ders of Admiral Berkeley, fol- 
lowed the Chesapeake beyond the Capes of Virginia, and, 
after demanding the deserters, fired a broadside upon the 
American frigate, and killed and wounded about 20 men. The 
Chesapeake struck her colors, and the four seamen were 
given up. ' 

•10. This outrage occasioned a general indignation through 
out the country, and was deemed, by many, in conjunction 
with other causes, a sufficient ground for declaring war. The 
president issued a pi-oclamation, ordering all British vessels of 
war to quit the waters of the United States, and forbidding all 
intercourse between them and the inhabitants. Tlie British 
government disavowed the attack on the Chesapeake ; yet the 
measures taken with regard to the aflair were far from being 
satisfactory to the government of this conntry. 

11. In 1809, Mr. Jefferson, having declined a reelection, 
was succeeded by James Madison, who had held the office of 
secretary of state in the late administration, and who pursued 
the same general policy. At the commencement of the new 
administration, an arrangement was made with Mr. Erskine, 
the British minister, by which the American government was 
induced to renew the trade with England : but this arrange- 
ment was afterwards disavowed on the part of Great Britain. 
The succeeding negotiator, Mr. Jackson, having, soon after his 
arrival, used offensive language, the president declined having 
any further correspondence with him. An unhappy rencoun- 
ter between the American and English ships of war, the Pres- 
ident and the LiilJe Belt, served to increase the unfriendly 
sentiments of the two countries. 

12. — (1812.) — The prospect of an amicable adjustment 
of existing difficulties, between the United States and Great 
Britain, continuing to become daily more dark and unpromis- 
ing, congress met, pursuant to adjournment, on the 25th of 
May 1812 ; and, on the 1st of June, the president sent a mes 
sage to that body, strongly recommending a declaration of 
war. ^The principal grounds for it, as stated in the message, 
were the impressment of American seamen by the British ; the 
blockading of the ports of their enemies ; the orders in coun- 
cil ; and a suspicion that the Indians had been instigated to acts 
of hostility by British agents. • -' — 

13. The bill for declaring war passed the house of repre 
Bcntatives by a vote of 79 to 49, arJ the senate, by one of 19 

26* 



306 UNITED STATES. 

to 13 ; and on the 18th of June, the day after it passed the 
senate, it was signed by the president. Five days after the 
declaration of war, the British orders in council were repealed, 
in consequence of the decrees of Berlin and Milan having been 
revoked. \ 

14. The minority of congress opposed the declaration of 
war, on the ground of its being, in their view, unnecessary and 
impolitic ; they maintained, also, that the aggressions of tlie 
French had been greater than those of the English ; and they 
entore:' a solemn protest against the measure. A considerable 
proportion of the people of the United States sympathized, in 
their views, with this minority ; and the war was, consequently, 
prosecuted w't/i much less energy and success than it might 
have been, i ' .here had been a unanimity in its favor. ^ 

15. Notwithstanding the length of time during which hostil- 
ities had been meditated, they were commenced in a very im- 
perfect state of preparation on the part of the American 
government ; and, in consequence, the operations of the Amer- 
ican armies, by land, during the first year, were wholly un- 
successful and disastrous. 

\ 16. On the 12th of July, General Hull, with an army of 
upwards of 2,000 men, invaded Canada ; and, on the 16th of 
August, he surrendered, with the whole of his troops, to tho 
British, y A second attempt to invade the province was made 
by General Van Rensselaer, who, with about 1,000 men, 
crossed the Niagara, in November, and attacked the British at 
Queenstown : after an obstinate engagement, he was obliged to 
surrender with his army. In this engagement the British com 
mander. General Brock, was killed. 

17. While the operations of the troops of the United States, 
m Canada, were so extremely unfortunate and mortifying, 
brilliant success attended the American flag ©n the ocean. In 
August, the frigate Constitution, commanded by Cajotain Hull, 
captured the British frigate the Guerriere. In October, the 
frigate United States, commanded by Captain Decatur, tools 
the Brilish frigate the Macedonian. In November, the British 
sloop the Frolic, was captured by the sloop Wasp, under Cap' 
fain Toms ; but the Wasp was immediately after taken by the 
Poictiers, a British seventy-four. In December, the Constitu- 
tion, commanded by Captain Bainbridge, captured the British 
frigate the Java. In these four engagements, the total loss of 

he British, in killed and wounded, was 423 ; that of the 
Americans, only 73. 

18. — (1813.) — The operations of the war during this yeat 
were productive of alternate successes and reverses. In Janu« 
ary, a detachment of about 800 men, under General WinJieiter 



UNITED STATES. 307 

was surprised and defeated by the British and Indians 
under General Proctor^ at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin. 
Those who had not fallexi, amounting to about 500, surren- 
dered prisoners, a great part of wliom were inhumanly massa- 
cred by the Indians. 

19. In April, a detachment of 1,700 American troops, under 
General Pike, after some severe fighting, took possession of 
York, in Upper Canada, and destroyed a' large quantity of 
publiz stores. By the explosion of a mine, prepared for the 
purpose, General Pike, together with about 100 Americans, 
was killed. The British lost about 700 in killed, wounded, and 
captured. — Colonel Dudley, being detached from Fori Meigs. 
with 800 men, to attack the enemy's battery, was surrounded 
by a large army of Indians, under Tecurnseh, and was defeated, 
with the loss of most of his troops. 

20. In May, an attack was made upon SackeWs Ilarhor by 
about 1,000 British troops, under Sir George Prevost, who 
was repulsed, with considerable loss, by the Americans under 
General Broion. Two days before this event, Fort George, 
in Canada, was taken by the Americans under General Boyd 
and Colonel Miller. The British, who were commanded by 
General Vincent, lost nearly 1,000 in killed, wounded, and 
captured. A few days afterwards. Generals Chandler and 
Winder, who had advanced with a considerable force, were 
surprised in the night, not far from the fort, by the British un- 
der General Viiicent, and were both taken prisoners, y^ 

21. The most brilliant achievement, during this year, was 
the defeat of the British naval force on Lake Erie, in Septem- 
ber, by Commodore Perry. The British fleet consisted of 6 
vessels, having 63 guns ; that of the Americans, of 9 vessels, 
with 56 guns. The conflict, which lasted three hours, was tre- 
mendous ; but thg victory was complete. The British force, 
being reduced to almost a total wreck, fell entirely into the 
hands of the Americans, who were, by this achievement, ren. 
dored masters of the lake. 

22. After this victory, General Harrison embarked his main 
army on board the American squadron, landed on the Canadian 
shore, and in October, near the Thames, defeated and dispersed 
the British army under General Proctor. In this action the 
enemy sustained a severe loss, and the celebrated Indian chief 
Tecimseh was killed. But the Americans were afterwards re 
pulsed at Williamshurg. 

23. Great preparations had been made for the conquest of 
Canada, under Generals Wilkinson and Hampton ; but nothing 
of 'mportance was effected ; and a disagreement between the 
two generals prevented that concert which was necessary to 



308 UNITED SVATES. 

insure success. The village of Newark, in Canada, biing 
burnt by the Americans, the British crossed over, and, in re 
taliation, burnt Buffalo, which was then a small town, and some 
other villages. During this year, the British, under Admiral 
Cockburn, committed various depredations in the south, and on 
the shores of the Chesapeake ; but they were repulsed at Cru' 
vey Island, near Norfolk. 

24. The English were more successful on the ocean during 
this year, than during the preceding. The American flivjr: 
however, was not, in any instance, disgraced ; nor were the 
American ships and men found inferior to those of Britain of 
equal torce. In February, the Hornet, commanded by Cap- 
tain Lawrence, captured the British sloop the Peacock. In 
Jun'3, the Chesapeake, under Captain Lawrence, was captured 
by the Shannon, commanded by Captain Broke. In August, 
the Argus was captured by the English sloop the Pelican ; 
and, in September, the British brig the Boxer surrendered to 
the Enterprise. 

25. — (1814.) — The campaign of 1814 was distinguished 
by more severe fighting in Canada than had before oQcurred. 
On the 2d of July, the Americans under General Brown, 
having taken Fort Erie, proceeded to attack the British under 
General Drummond, at Chippewa, where, on the 5th, an obsti- 
nate engagement took place, which terminated in favor of the 
Americans. On the 25th of the month, a more sanguinary 
and warmly contested battle was fought, at Bridgeioater, by 
the Americans under Generals Broion and Scott, and the Brit- 
ish under Generals Drummond and Riall. The British were 
forced to retreat, with the loss of about 900 in killed, wounded, 
and taken. The American army was also so much weakened 
that it fell back to Fort Erie, v/hich the British afterwards at- 
tempted to storm ; but they were repulsed with a severe loss 
This was the last important operation of the war on this frontier, 

26. Sir George Prevost, having received large reinforce- 
ments from the troops which had been employed under the 
Vuke of Wellington, in Spain, now advanced with an army 
of 14,000 men, to carry offensive war into the United States ; 
and his first attempt was on Plattshurg. The operations of 
this army were accompanied by those of the British naval 
force on Lake Champlain, consisting of 95 guns and 1,050 
men, commanded by Commodore Downie. This force m as to- 
tally defeated by the American fleet, having 86 guns and 826 
men, under the command of Commodore Macdonough. Dur- 
ing the engagement between the fleets, Sir George I^revnsi 
attacked the forts of Plattshurg, but was effectually repulsed by 
Ihe Am )ricans under General Macomb. The loss of the Brit- 



UNITED STATES. 309 

ish, in killed, wounded, and deserters, was estimated at 2,500 ; 
while that of the Americans, both on the land and water, was 
only 231. 

27. In August, a British fleet of about 60 sail arrived in the 
Chesapeake, and an army of about 5,000 men, nider General 
'Ross, landed in the Patuxeni, about iorty miles from the city 
of Washington. Having easily put to flight the American 
militia, under General Winder, at Bladensburg, the enemy 
entered Washinglon, burnt the capitol, the president's hou^i;, 
and other public buildings, and retired without molestation. 
In September, about a fortnight after this transaction, the Brit- 
ish army, to the number of about 7,000, under General Ross 
and Admiral Cockhurn, made a similar attempt on Baltimore ; 
but, after gaining some advantages, they were finally repulsed. 
In this attempt General Ross was killed. 

28. On the ocean, the American flag maintained its reputa- 
tion, and in no instance yielded to an inferior or an equal 
force. The American frigate the Essex, however, was cap- 
tured by the British frigate the Plicehe and the sloop Cherub 
of a superior force ; and the frigate President, by a squadron 
of the enemy ; but the British vessels of war the Epervier, 
Avon, Reindeer, Cyane, Levant, and Penguin, were taken by 
the Americans. '• 

29. As the war between the United States and Great Britain 
was a branch of the great European quarrel, it naturally fell 
to the ground when that quarrel ceased. The matters in dis- 
pute between the two countries related to maritime and neutral 
rights ; but, with regard to these subjects, there was no longer 
any cause of diffei'ence, as the world was at peace. On the 
restoration of peace in Europe, both parties began to think 
seriously about ending the war ; and the Emperor of Russia 
offered his services as mediator, which were, however, declined 
by the British government, and a direct negotiation at London 
or Gottenburg was proposed. In April, 1813, commissioners, 
on ihe part of the United States, were appointed to meet others 
from England at Gottenburg ; but the place of meeting was 
afterwards changed to Ghent, where a treaty was finally signed 
on the 24th of December, 1814. 

30. \N\\\\e the negotiation was in progress, a large arma- 
ment, under the command of Sir Edward Packenham, was 
fitted out by Great Britain for an attack on Kciv Orleans, with 
the intention, apparently, of ending the war with some eclat, 
but the design met with a most signal and fatal defeat. The 
British, after enduring great fatigues and numerous diflit;ulties, 
and susta-ning some desperate encounters, assaulted the works 



310 UNITED STATES. 

thrown up for the defence of the city, on the 8th of Jan.iary^ 
1815, when they were dreadfully cut to pieces and repulsed by 
the Americans under General Jackson. The loss of the enemy 
in killed, wounded, and captured, amounted to about 2,600* 
among the slain were the commander-in-chief, Gev^ral Pack- 
e7iha?n, and other principal officers. The loss of the Amer- 
icans was only seven killed and six wounded. This was the 
lust important operation of the war. 

31. In 1814, the northeastern States were in a very exposed 
condition, being destitute of protection from the national troop.3, 
and great alarm was excited among the people. At this June 
tare, the legislature of Massachusetts proposed a conference, 
by delegates from the legislatures of the New England States 
and of any of the other States that might accede to the meas' 
ure, in order to devise and recommend to these States measures 
for their security and defence. A convention^ composed of 
distinguished men, delegates from the New England States, 
accordingly met at Hartford, in Connecticut, on the 15th of 
December ; and, after a session of three weeks, they published 
the result of their deliberations. The commissioners of the con- 
vention, who were sent to confer with the national government, 
and the treaty of peace with Great Britain, arrived at Washing- 
ton about the same time ; so that the war and all proceed- 
ings relating to its continuance were, at length, happily termi- 
nated. 

32. In the treaty of Ghent, no allusion is to be found to the 
causes of the war; nor was any attempt made to settle the 
vexed question respecting the right of Great Britain to impress 
her seamen on board American vessels, or any of the othei 
points in dispute, each party being left, precisely as it was be- 
fore the war, in possession of all its real or imaginary rights 
In case, therefore, that Great Britain should be engaged in 
another European war, the questions between the two coun- 
tries, which were, for a time, set at rest by peace, might be 
again revived, and lead to new difficulties. But it is to be 
hoped that both nations will see, that it is their interest, as well 
as duty, to cultivate friendly relations, to avoid eveiy cause of 
hostile contention, and to draw closer eveiy tie, whether of 
consanguinity, religion, or interest, which may firmly unito 
them in a lasting peace. 

33. When the waste of life and of property, the amount of 
crime and of suffisring, which war always occasions, and the 
little chance there is, that, by an appeal to arms, the wrongs 
of an injured nation will be properly redressed, are duly con- 
si lered, every Christian patriot and every philanthropist musj 



UNITED STATES. 31 i 

desire that some better metliod of settling national disputoi 
may be established and carried into practice ; — some metlio>' 
which would not only be free from the multiplied evils of wai 
but b}' which an adjustment of the points in dispute might b. 
made more on a basis of law and equity. 

34 Mr. Madison, after having filled the office of presiden 
eight years, was succeeded, in 1817, by James Monroe^ who hae 
held ihe office of secretary of state during most of the time of 
Mr. Madison's administration. In 1821, Mr. Monroe wanlcf 
only a single vote of a unanimous reelection. 

35. During Mr. Monroe's administration, the United Stales 
were at peace, with the exception of a war with the Seminole 
and Creek Indians ; and the prosperity of the country, which 
nad been interrupted by the war with England, was gradually 
restored. 

36. In 1821, Florida was ceded by Spain to the United 
States, for the sum of $5,000,000. 

37. The admission of the State of Missouri into the union, 
which took effect in 1821, gave rise to a very spirited discus- 
sion of the question of slavery, — a subject which has ever 
since continued to occasion political excitement. The bill for 
its admission, without restriction of slavery, passed the house 
of representatives, after a long and exciting debate, by a vote 
of 90 to 86. It was accompanied by a declaration prohibiting 
slavery in the territories north of lat. 36.30 N. This is what 
has been since called " the Missouri compromise." 

38. In August, 1824, General Lafayette, having received an 
invitation from congress, landed at New York, on a visit to the 
United States ; passed through twenty-four of the States ; was 
everywhere enthusiastically received as the nation's guest ; 
was present, on the 17th of June, 1825, at the celebration of 
the 50lh anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill ; and, in Sep- 
tember, sailed for France. In the following December, con- 
gress made him a grant of $200,000, and a township of land 
in Florida, in consideration of his revolutionary services. 

39. In 1825, Mr. Monroe was succeeded by John Qiiincy 
Adams, who had held the office of secretary of state during 
Mr. Monroe's administration. In the presidential elect'.on of 
1824, there were four candidates for the presidency, — John 
Qiiincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, William H. Craioford, and 
Henry Clay. Of the electoral votes, Jackson received 99, 
Adams 84, Crawford 41, and Clay 37. There being no choice 
by the people, the election devolved upon the house of repre- 
Bentatives ; and Adams was elected, having received the votes 
of 13 States Jackson 7, and Crawford 4. 



312 UNITED STATES. 

40. During Mr. Adams's administration, the countiy was at 
peace and in a highly prosperous condition ; and advantageous 
treaties of peace and commerce were negotiated with various 
foreign nations. The policy of Mr. Monroe's administration 
was continued and greatly extended, in strengthening every 
arm of the national defence, by erecting light-houses, arsenals, 
fortifications, &c. ; by increasing the naval establishment; and 
especially by improving the intercommunication between the 
different parts of the countiy. In these internal improveir.ents 
iiiore was effected by the aid of the government, during Mr. 
Adams's administration, than during the administrations of all 
his orsdfccessors. 

41. The national government had agreed to extinguish, for 
the benefit of Georgia, the Indian title to the lands held by the 
Cherokees and Creeks in that State. In the last year of Mr. 
Monroe's administration, the Creeks, in a national council, re- 
fused to part with their territory. After the council broke up, 
however, a few of the chiefs remained, and were induced to 
make a treaty, ceding the lands to the United States. This 
treaty was repudiated by the Creek nation as an act of fraud ; 
bit the governor of Georgia determined to act upon it as valid, 

42. At this juncture, the Indians appealed for protection to 
the president of the United States, who interposed to protect 
them from gross injustice. It was, however, deemed expedient 
to obtain the lands in question by fair purchase. This was 
subsequently accomplished ; and, in a fev/ years, the Indians 
were removed to territories west of the Mississippi. 

43. In 1828, a new tariff laio was enacted, imposing duties 
on imports, with a view to afford protection to American man- 
ufactures. The principle of a protective tariff' has met Avitb 
strong opposition, especially in the southern States ; and it has, 
ever since the passage of this act of congress, unhappily con- 
tinued to be a subject of contention between opposite po'ttica' 
parties. 

44. On the 4th of Jrdy, 1826, John Adams and Thonas 
Jrffersor. 6'ied ; the former in his 91st year, and the latter in 
his 84th. The.se distinguished men stood first and second on 
tliP committee of five appointed by congre-ss to prepare the 
Declaration of Independence in 1776 ; and, of this instrument, 
Mr. Jefferson was the writer, and Mr. Adams the most power- 
ful advocate. They afterwards held, in succession, the office 
of President of the United States, and were also at the head 
of the two opposite parties, into which the country was long 
lUvided ; and they finally passed out of the world together, on 
the 50th anniversary of the day which their Declaration had 
rendered illustrious as the era of American Independence. 



UNITED STATES. 313 



SECTION VII. 



Jackson's Administration : Van Bwen^s Administration : 
Harrison ; — Tyler''s Administration : Polk's Administra- 
tion; War with Mexico: Taylor; — Fillmore's Adminis- 
tration. — From A. D. 1829 to 1853. 

1. In 1829, Mr. Adams was succeeded by Andrew Jackson, 
wlio had been principally known for his military achievements 
and who, in the battle of New Orleans, and in conducting, a 
war with the Seminole and Creek Indians, had acquired a high 
reputation as a military commander. 

2. General Jackson's administration was signalized by a 
more extensive removal of office-holders than had been prac- 
tised by any of his predecessors ; by a persevei'ing hostility to 
the United States Bank, which terminated in the overthrow of 
that institution ; and by opposition to the policy of making ap- 
propriations for internal improvements. Several bills making 
such appropriations, and also a bill for the renewal of the 
charter of the United States Bank, which passed both houses 
of congress, he returned with his veto. 

3. In November, 1832, a convention of delegates, called^by 
the legislature of South Carolina, assembled at Columbia, and 
pronounced the acts of congress of 1828 and 1832, imposiivg 
duties on foreign imports, for the protection of domestic manu- 
factures, unconstitutional, void, and not binding upon the citizens 
of that State. The remedy proposed was termed niiUiJication. 

4. In the December following. President Jackson issued a 
proclamation, containing an exposition of the principles anr" 
powers of the general government, and expressing a determi 
nation to maintain the laws. The Governor of South Carolina 
issued a counter-proclamation, calling on the people to resist 
any attempt to enforce the tariff laws. The president then ad* 
dressed a message to congress, recommending such measures 
as would enable the executive to suppress the spirit of insubor- 
dination, and sustain the laws of the United States. 

5. Everything, for a time, wore a threatening aspect ; but 
more moderate counsels at length prevailed. A.n appeal was 
made to South Carolina by the general assembly of Virginia • 
Mr. Clay introduced a new bill, modifying the tariff, called the 
' compromise act," which was enacted into a law on the 1st 

of March, 1833 ; and the convention of South Carolina as- 
sembled on the 11th of March, and repealed the nullifying 
ordinance. 

6. In March, 1838, President Jackson, having been reelected, 

27 



814 UNITED STATES. 

entered on his second term; and, in the following September 
he directed the secretary of the treasury, Mr. Duane, to re 
move the public funds or deposits from the United States Bank. 
This Mr. Duane having declined to do, he was removed ; and 
Mr. Taney was appointed in his place. By the latter the de- 
posits were removed and placed in several State banks. A 
resolution, strongly censuring the president for this measure 
was passed by the senate in 1834; and, in 1837, the senate 
vcied to expunge this resolution from their journal. 

7. Jn 1834, the country was disturbed by an apprehension of 
8 hostile collision with France. The French government, by a 
tjeaty negotiated in 1831, had agreed to make indemnity for 
s])oliations made on American commerce during the reign of 
Napoleon ; but it had failed to fulfil its engagements. The 
president recommended (1834) reprisals upon French com- 
merce. The measure, however, was not adopted by congress ; 
and the danger of open hostihty was happily removed by the 
action of the French government in making, in the following 
year, provision to fulfil its stipulations. 

8. On the 16th of December, ^d35, a great fire broke out 
in the city of New York, wbich destroyed the most of that 
part of the city which is the seat of its principal commercial 
transactions. This was the most destructive fire that ever took 
place in this country ; and the loss was estimated at upwards 
of #17,000,000. 

9. The public deit of the United States in 1816, after the 
close of the war with Great Britain, amounted to upwards of 
$127,000,000. After the return of peace, the debt was rapidly 
reduced ; and, in 1836, it having been all paid off, it was com- 
])uted, that, on the 1st of January, 1837, there would remain 
in the treasury a surplus revenue of $27,000,000. An act 
was passed by congress (1836) for distributing this surplus 
(reserving $5,000,000), to be paid, in four instalments, to the 
several States, in proportion to their representation in the sen-" 
ate and house of representatives. 

10. Near the close of the year 1835, a conflict commenced 
^^ith the Seviinole Indians, who refused to remove from Flojida 
to lands appropriated to them west of the Mississippi, and the 
United States became involved in a long and expensive war 
with them ; but, in 1842, having been finally subdued, they 
were removed. The expenses of this war, from 1836 to 
1840 inclusive, as officially stated, amounted to upwards of 
$15,000,000, more than three times as much as was paid to 
Spain for the country of Florida. 

11. Andrew Jackson was succeeded, in 1837, by Martin 
Van Bur en.) who had held the office of vice-president the pre 



UNITED STATES. ^15 

ceding four years, and who, in his administration, continued 
the same general policy as that of his predecessor. 

12. In the spring of this year (1837) commenced the great 
est commei'cial revulsion ever known in this country. A spirit 
of extravagant speculation had, for some years, prevailed ; a 
multitude of State banks had been chartered, by means of 
which there was a great expansion of paper currency ; nu- 
merous and very expensive public works, as canals, railroads, 
&;o., were undertaken by States and incorporated companies ; 
immense importations of foreign goods were made ; and real 
csta*^ especially in cities and villages, was raised far above 
its intrmsic value. At length the crisis came, with tremendous 
effect. The panic extended throughout the country, and all 
confidence and all ci'edit were at an end. 

13. On the 10th of May, all the banks in the city of New 
York suspended specie payment ; and the suspension soon 
became general throughout the country. The mercantile 
classes were subjected to the greatest embarrassments, and 
failures were numerous in all the commercial cities. In the 
city of New York alone, the list of failures, including only the 
more considerable ones, exhibited an amount af upwards of 
$60,000,000. 

14. The national government became involved in the gen- 
eral embarrassment, inasmuch as the banks in which the public 
deposits were placed, had, like the rest, suspended specie pay 
ment. In this state of affairs, the president convoked an extra 
session of congress, to meet on the 4th of September. Con- 
gress passed an act postponing, to the 1st of January, 1839, 
the payment to the States of the fourth instalment of the sur- 
plus revenue, and authorized an issue of treasury notes to the 
amount of $10,000,000, to be receivable in payment of public 
dues. A bill for placing the public money in the hands of 
receivers-general, called the sub-treasury or independent treas- 
ury bill, was recommended by the president, and passed the 
senate, but was lost in the house. This bill, after repeated 
failures, was finally passed and enacted into a law in June 
1840. — In August, 1838, the banks throughout the country 
generally resumed specie payment. 

15. In 1837, a rebellion against the British government broko 
out in Canada. It was sustained by some men of talents and 
influence, and disturbed the peace of that country through the 
following year (1838). A considerable number of citizens of 
the United States, belonging to the parts of Vermont and New 
Y'ork which border on Canada, unhappily took part with the 
'nsurgents. Their course was condemned by the general gov- 
ernment; and the president issued a proclamation, exhorting 



S16 UNITED STATES 

Buch citizens of the United States, as had violated their duties^ 
to return peaceably to their respective homes, and warning 
them that the laws would be rigidly enforced against such as 
should render themselves liable to punishment. 

16. In 1841, Mr. Van Buren was succeeded by Willtam 
Thiiry Harrison, who had been somewhat distinguished in po- 
[itivjal life, but more for his military services. He was inaugu- 
rated on the 4th of Mai-ch, and died on the 4th of April, j-isl 
oaii month after his inau^-u ration. He was the first president 
of the United States thai died in office, and his death was 
greatly lamented. 

17. General Harrison was the candidate of the Whigs, and 
Mr. Van Bui-en of the Democrats ; and the electioneering con- 
test was carried on with an excitement and enthusiasm never 
beforcj witnessed in this country. Of the 294 electoral votes 
given for president, Harrison received 234 ; and JoJm Tyler 
received the same number of votes for vice-president. On the 
death of President Harrison, John Tyler, in accordance vv'ith 
the provisions of the constitution, became president. But he 
refused to carry out the principles of the party by which he 
was elected ; nor did he become popular with any party. 

18. On the 31st of May, congress met in an extra session, 
which had been called by President Harrison, and, besides other 
acts, they repealed the sub-treasury bill, and passed two differ- 
ent bills, establishing a Fiscal Bank, or Fiscal Corporation of 
the United States, both of which were vetoed by the president. 
The establishment of such an institution was a favorite measure 
of the whigs, and the action of the president, in relation to it, 
caused much excitement ; and all the members of the cabinet 
resigned, with the exception of the secretary of state, Mr. 
Webster, wa) fortunately retained office till after the settlement 
of the difficulty with England in relation to the northeastern 
boundary. f 

19. In 1842, a new tariff law was enacted, which made 
provision for the public revenue, and afforded protection to 
American manufactures and other branches of national indus 
try, and which was a favorite measure of the whig party 
This measure, as it was mamtained by its friends, had a pow- 
erful influence in restoring a high state of prosperity to tha 
country ; but it caused great dissatisfaction in some parts, es- 
pecially in the southern States. 

20. The northeastern boundary of the United States, be- 
tween the State of Maine and the British provinces of Lower 
Canada and New Brunswick, had been for some years a sub- 
ject of negotiation and controversy ; and at length it threater r>d 



UNITED STATES. S11 

:o become a subject of serious national dispute. Tlie difficully 
however, was amicably adjusted by tlie treaty of Washington 
concluded in September, 1842, by Lord Ashburton and Daniel 
Webster. 

21. One of the last acts of Mr. Tyler's administration was 
the annexation of the republic of Texas to the United States 
— a measure which was greatly promoted by the exertions of 
John C. Calhoun, the secretary of state, and which excited 9 
spirited controversy. Joint resolutions for the annexation of 
that republic to the United States, as one of the States of the 
Union, passed the house of representatives, on the 2i3th :f 
.January, 1845, by a vote of 120 to 98 ; and the senate, on the 
1st of March, by a vote of 27 to 25 ; and, on the same day, 
they wei'e approved by the president. 

22. In 1845, Mr. Tyler was succeeded by James Knox Polk. 
Mr. Polk was the democratic candidate ; and, after a very ex- 
citing electioneering contest, he received 170 electoral votes 
for president ; and Henry Clay, the whig candidate, received 
105 votes. 

23. The party by which Mr. Polk was supported took strong 
ground in favor of the annexation of Texas, and of the claim 
of the United States to the whole of the Oregon Territory ; 
and Mr. Polk, in his inaugural address, sustained the views of 
his party on both of these questions ; one of which threatened 
to involve the nation in hostilities with Mexico, and the other 
with Great Britain. 

24. The settlement of the northwestern boundary, between 
the United States and the North American territories of Great 
Britain, involving the claims of both parties to the Oregon Ter- 
ritory, had long been a subject of negotiation ; and it now as- 
sumed a threatening aspect. But it was happily adjusted by a 
treaty, concluded at Washington, in June, 1846, fixing on the 
49lh degree of north latitude as the boundary-line. 

25. On the recommendation of the president, congress 
passed, in July, 1846, a new tariff laio, having a primary view 
to the interests of the public revenue, and withdrawing, in a 
gnsat measure, the protection to domestic industry afforded by 
the tarilT of 1842. 

26. The war with Mexico grew out of the annexation of 
Texas to the United States. Texas, which was formerly a 
province of Mexico, declared its independence in 1836 ; and, 
from that time, it had maintained a separate re|)ublican govern- 
ment ; but its independence had not been acknowledged by 
Mexico. In March, 1845, immediately after the passage of 
the resolutions of congress in favor of the annexation, General 

27 



318 UNITED STATES 

Almonte, the Mexican minister to the United States, remon 
fitrated against these resolutions, and demanded his passports ♦ 
and all diplomatic intercourse between the two governments 
was immediately broken off. 

27. The boundaries of Texas were never definitely settled. 
The government of Texas and of the United States maintained 
that the southwestern boundary of that country was formed bj 
the Rio Grande; but the Mexicans contended that that bound- 
ary was formed by the I'iver Nueces. The country between these 
iwo rivers was disputed territory, both parties claiming it : it 
was on this disputed territory that hostilities were commenced ; 
and each party charged the other with being the aggressor. 

28. In July, 1845, the legislature of Texas ratified the reso- 
lutions of congress, by which that republic was annexed to the 
United States, and requested President Polk to take immediate 
measures to defend the new State against an apprehended at 
tack from Mexico. An American squadron was accordingly 
despatched to the Gulf of Mexico, and General Zachary Tay- 
lor was ordered to proceed to the southern frontier of Texas, 
with a sufficient force for its defence. ^ 

29. In-March, 1846, General Taylor, having previously con 
centrated an army of about 4,000 men at Corpus Christi 
received orders from the United States government to move 
forward, into the disputed territory, to the Rio Grande. He 
accordingly took a position on the left bank of that river, op 
posite to I\Jatamoras, where he erected a fort ; and, at the 
same time, he established a depot of supplies at Point Isabel, 
upwards of twenty miles in his rear, near the coast. 

30. A Mexican force of about 8,000 men was soon assem- 
bled on the Rio Grande, at and near Matamoras, under the 
command of Generals Ampudia and Arista, who declared the 
advance of General Taylor with his army to be a hostile move- 
ment. On the 24th of April, General Arista informed General 
Taylor that " he considered hostilities commenced, and should 
prosecute them." On the same day, a party of 63 American 
dragoons, under Captain Thornton, who had been despatched 
to reconnoitre, were surprised by a large Mexican force, 16 
being killed and wounded, and the rest taken prisoners. 

31. A few days afterwards, the greater part of the Mexican 
army crossed the river, and General Taylor being informed 
'.hat they intended to attack Point Isabel, where his military 
stores were deposited, marched to the relief of that place, 
which he reached unmolested. The garrison there having 
been strengthened by a reinfoi-cement of 500 sailors ard ma- 
rines, from the American squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, he 
Degan, on the 7th of May, to retrace his steps to the Rio 
Gi^nde. 



UNITED STATES. 319 

32. About noon the next day, he encountered the Mexican 
army, of 6.000 men, at Palo Alto ; and, after an action of five 
hours, he drove them from the field, with the loss of nearly 
400 in killed and wounded. The Americans, whose numbci 
was about 2,300, lost about 50 in killed and wounded, and 
nmong the former was the lamented Major Ringgold. 

33. On the following day, after advancing three miles, the 
American army again met the Mexicans, strongly posted at 
Rcsaca de la Palma, and completely routed them, killing and 
wounding about 600, taking a large number of prisoners 
among whom was General La Vega., and capturing all the 
cannon and military stores of the enemy. A few days after 
this battle. General Taylor crossed the Rio Grande, and took 
possession of Matamoras, which had been left by the Mexican 
troops. -^^ 

34. Early in May, the news of Captain Thornton's dis- 
aster reached Washington, accompanied by exaggerated state- 
ments of the peril to which General Taylor's army was exposed, 
and it produced great excitement. The president, in a special 
message, on the 11th of May, announced to congress, which 
was then in session, that the Mexicans " had invaded our terri- 
tory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil." 
Congi-ess, after an animated debate of two days, declared, that, 
" by the act of the republic of Mexico, war existed between 
that government and the United States"; and, at the same 
time, authorized the president to accept the services of 50,000 
volunteers for twelve months, and appropriated $10,000,000 to 
carry on the war. The whig members of congress proposed 
to strike out the preamble to the bill, in which it is asserted 
that the war existed by the act of Mexico, but without success ; 
and the bill, with the preamble, passed the house by a vote of 
142 to 14, and the senate by a vote of 40 to 2. 

35. It is proper to remark, that there was a strong feeling in 
a great part of the country against the war, and a large portion 
of the citizens, especially in the northern States, condemned 
it as unnecessary, unjust, and made for unworthy purposes 
Such views were expressed by the legislatures of some of the 
northern States, and repeatedly by the whig members of con- 
gress. And notwithstanding the above vote relating to the war, 
in the house of representatives, the same body, in January, 
1848, declared, by a vote of 85 to 81, that it was " a war un- 
necessar ly and unconstitutionally made by the President of the 
United Slates." 

36. General Taylor's force was soon after increased by a 
arge number of volunteers from Texas and the adjacent States. 
The Mexican towns on the Rio Grande were seized and occu* 



320 UNITED STATES. 

pied, and camps formed to muster and drill the new levisa, 
. preparatory to an invasion of the interior of Mexico. 

37. After three months' preparation, General Taylor, with 
an army of between 6,000 and 7,000 men, proceeded to attack 
the strongly fortified city of Montereij, the capital of the Stale 
of New Leon, which was garrisoned by about 10,000 Mexican 
troops, commanded by General Ampudia. 

38. The American army reached Monterey on the 19th of 
September, 1846, and, on the 21st, assaulted the city with ihc 
view of taking it by storm ; and, alter a severe and sanguinary 
struggle of three days, they became masters of the principal 
defences, and the greater part of the city. On the 24th, Gen- 
eral Ampudia proposed terms of capitulation, which were ac- 
cepted, and the Mexican army evacuated Monterey. At the 
same time. General Taylor agreed to an armistice of eight 
weeks, subject to the ratification of the governments at Wash 
ington and Mexico. 

39. While thqse events wei-e taking place near the Rio 
Grande, General Sajita Anna, ex-president of Mexico, and the 
most distinguished military commander of that country, had 
returned from exile, and had overthrown the government of 
President. Paredes, who was at the head of the party supposed 
to be most in favor of prosecuting the war with the United 
States. Strong hopes were entertained by the American gov- 
ernment that the influence of Santa Anna, on his restoration to 
power, would be exerted in favor of peace ; and the president 
accordingly had given orders to the naval commander in the 
Gulf of Mexico to throw no obstacle in the way of his return. 
But these expectations proved to be ill-founded ; and, under his 
administration, the Mexicans were roused to greater efforts, 
than they had hitherto made, to repel their invaders. 

40. Under these circumstances, the American government 
resolved to strike a decisive blow, by attacking Vera Cruz, the 
principal Mexican port and fortress, with the intention of 
thereby gaining access to the heart of the country, and to the 
capital of the republic, for the avowed purpose of " conquering 
a peace." General Winjield Scott was accordingly ordered to 
take the chief command of all the forces in Mexico, and to 
conduct the expedition against Vera Cruz. 

41. The armistice, which General Taylor had concluded at 
Monterey, was not approved by the authorities at Washington ; 
and, in November, his army resumed offensive operations, and 
speedily overran and subdued the States of Coahuila and Ta- 
maulipas. About this time, however, General Scott arrived a( 
iho seat of war, and withdrew from General Taylor the prin« 
cij)al part of his army, including nearly all the regular troops 
vo augment the forces destined to besiege Vera Cruz 



UNITLD STATES. 321 

42. In Februaiy, 1847, General Taylor formed a camj of 
xbout 5,000 men, mostly volunteers, at Agiia Nueva, near the 
city of SaUillo. On the 20th of the month, he learnt that 
Santa Anna, with 20,000 troops, had arrived within 30 miles 
of him, by a series of forced marches from Sa?i Luis Fotosi^ 
300 miles distant, aci'oss a barren country, almost destitute of 
water. General Taylor immediately broke up his camp, and 
fell back 11 miles to Biiena Vista, where he posted his army 
in a very strong position, protected by deep ravines and rugged 
mountainous ridges. 

43. On the 22d of February, the Mexican army appeared in 
front of the American lines, and Santa Anna summoned Gen- 
eral Taylor to surrender, which the latter declined to do. 
Some skirmishing ensued ; but the battle did not begin until 
the 23d, when the Mexicans attempted, by I'epeated charges, 
to force the American lines. Notwithstanding some partial 
successes, achieved by their immense superiority of force 
ihey were, at length, completely repulsed ; and, after a fierce 
and sanguinary contest, which lasted throughout the day, thr 
Americans remained masters of the field. During the night 
the Mexicans abandoned their camp, and retreated, in a state 
of great disorder, towards San Luis Potosi, from whence they 
had advanced. The American loss, in this battle, was 723 m 
killed and wounded, and that of the Mexicans amounted to 
about 2,000. 

44. On the 9th of March, 1847, General Scott landed near 
Vera Cruz, with an army of about 12,000 men. The city 
was immediately invested, and after a furious bombardment of 
several days, dui'ing which the destruction of life and property 
was very great, the Mexican commander, on the 29th of March, 
capitulated and surrendered the city, and also the famous 
fortress of St. Juan (T Ulloa, together with 5,000 prisoners and 
400 pieces of artillery. 

45. Early in April, the American army began its march 
fiom Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. At the mountain pass 
of Cerro Gordo, about 50 miles from Vera Cruz, it encoun- 
tered the Mexican army, commanded by President Santa Ann a, 
consisting of 12,000 or 15,000 men, strongly entrenched in an 
almost impregnable position. 

46. On the 18th of April, the Americans, who numlered 
8,500, began the assault, and in a few hours carried by storm 
all the batteries and entrenchments of the Mexicans, who fled 
in confusion, leaving in the hands of the victors about 3,000 ■ 
prisoners, 4,000 or 5,000 stand of arms, and 43 pieces of ar- 
lillery. Among the prisoners were five generals, one of whom, 
La Vega, had before been cantured in the battle of Resaca de 



322 UNITED STATES 

!a Palma. The American loss in this engagement was 431 la 
killed and wounded ; the Mexican loss, about three times as 
many. 

47. Tlie victory of Cerro Gordo was followed by the imme 
diate surrender of the city of Jalapa, and the strong fortress 
of Perote ; and, on the loth of May, the Americans entered 
PueUa, the most important city of Mexico, next to the capital. 
Here, ;he army, which had been diminished by death, sickness, 
and the departure of volunteers, to about 5,000 effective men, 
remained nearly three months, waiting for reinforcements and 
suppli'3s. 

48. On the 7th of August, 1847, reinforcements having ar- 
lived. General Scott began his march from Puebla to the city 
of Mexico, at the head of about 11,000 men. On the 18th, 
the army reached the hamlet of San Augustin, 10 miles south 
of the capital ; and, on the 20th, two sanguinary battles were 
fought with a Mexican force of more than 30,000 men, who 
were s^nioned in and around the strongly fortified posts that 
defended the approaches to the city. In the first battle, that of 
Con'reras, 4,bOO Americans assaulted, and, in less than twenty 
minutes, drove from their entrenchments, 7,000 Mexicans, 
killing 700 and taking 813 prisoners, besides many colors and 
standards, and 22 pieces of artiileiy. In the second battle, 
that of Churubusco, the disparity of force was even greater, 
and the Mexican loss still more severe, — about 6,000 Amer- 
icans engaging and completely routing almost the whole Mexi- 
can army. General Scott thus speaks of the achievements of 
the army under his command on this occasion : — "It has in a 
single day, in many battles, as often defeated 32,000 men ; 
made about 3,000 prisoners, including 8 generals (two of them 
ex-presidents) and 205 other officers ; killed or wounded 4,000 
of all i-anks, besides entire corps dispersed and dissolved ; cap- 
tured 37 pieces of ordnance, — more than trebling our siege 
crain and field batteries, — with a large number of small arms, 
a full supply of ammunition of §very kind, &c. — Our lob? 
amounts to 1,053 : killed, 139, including 16 officers , wounded, 
87G, including 60 officers." 

49. These I'apid and decisive victories caused sach conster* 
nation among the Mexicans, that General Scott might at once 
have forced his way into the city ; but he forebore to do so, 
not wishing to drive the people to desperation, and, to use his 
own words, " willing to leave something to the republic on 
which to rest her pride and recover temper." Accordingly, 
he acceded to a request made by President Santa Anr.a for un 
armistice, the terms of which were agreed upon and signed on 
;hj 23d of Au2ust. 



UNITED STATES. 323 

50. Mr. Nicholas Trisf, a commissionev appointed by the 
President of the United States, had arrived in Mexico some 
months before, and was now in General Scott's camp. Nego- 
liations for peace were immediately commenced between him 
and commissioners appointed by the Mexican government. 
But as the latter proposed terms that were not satisfactory, and 
the Mexican military commanders wei'e violating the terms of 
the armistice by erecting and strengtiiening fortifications, GvR' 
eral Scott reconnnenced hostilities on the 7th of September. 

51. On the following day, a division of the American army, 
3,200 in rmmber, commanded by General Worth, carried by 
storm the strong position of El Molhto del Rey, which was 
held by above 14,000 Mexicans, under the command of PresU 
dent Santa Aima. The Mexican loss in this action, which was 
perhaps the most fiercely contested of the whole war, amounted 
to 3,000 in killed, wounded, and captured. The Americana 
lost, in killed and wounded, nearly 800, about one fourth of 
tlie number engaged. 

52. Five days afterwards, the fortress of Chapultepec, sjiu- 
ated on a steep, rocky hill, 150 feet in height, was stormed, and 
the army which supported it was routed and driven into the city ; 
die victorious Americans followed, and, by nightfall, one divi- 
sion of their army was within the gates of Mexico, while 
another occupied the suburbs. 

53. During the night, the shattered remnant of the Mexican 
army, and the members of the federal government and con- 
gress, fled from the city, of which the Americans took full 
possession the next day, September 14th, 1847. 

54. The total loss of General Scott's army, in these battles 
before Mexico, amounted to about 2,700 in killed and wounded. 
The number of American troops, that entered and took pos- 
session of this city of 140,000 inhabitants, was less than 6,000. 

55. Besides the invasions of Mexico by the armies com- 
manded by Generals Taylor and Scott, another was conducted 
by General Kearny, who, in the latter part of June, 1846, set 
out from Missouri, at the head of 1,600 men, mostly vohm- 
tetu-s from that State, for the purpose of conquerir.g Ncm 
Mexico. 

56. After a fatiguing march of about 1,000 miles across tha 
prairie^. General Kearny arrived at Santa Fe, of which he look 
possession, without opposition, on the 18th of August. He; im 
mediately declared himself Governor of New Mexico, and 
issued a proclamation, absolving the people from their allegi- 
ance to the Mexican government, and constituting them citizens 
nf the United States. 

5T In December, 1846, Colonel Donijyhan a volunteer troro 



324 UNITED STATES. 

Missouri, departed from Santa Fe, at the head of 900 mon, lo 
invade, the Mexican State of Ckilmalma. At Br acito, on the; 
Rio Grande, a division of his force, 500 in number, encoun^ 
tered 1,200 Mexicans, whom they put to flight, with a loss of 
about 200 m killed and wounded ; while the Americans had 
none killed, and only seven wounded. 

58. Two months later, on the 28th of February, 1847, al 
t.i* Pass of Sacramento, Colonel Doniphan's little army me' 
ind defeated 4,000 Mexicans, commanded by the governor oi 
the State, and occupying a strong position, defended by heavj 
artillery. On the following day, March 1st, they took posses 
sion of the important city of Chihuahua. 

59. In the summer of 1846, Captain (aftei'wards Colonel) 
Fremont, who, with a party of about 60 men, was bxploring 
California by order of the President of the United Slates, be- 
came involved in hostilities with the Mexican govei'nor of that 
province. With the aid of a few American settlers, Fremont 
defeated the Mexican forces, which were much superior in 
number ; and, on learning that war existed between the United 
States and Mexico, he raised the American flag, and in con- 
junction with Commodore Stockto7i, who commanded the United 
States fleet in the Pacific, prosecuted the conquest of the 
country with such success, that, by the end of August, the 
whole of California was in possession of the Americans. 

60. Soon after the conquest of the city of Mexico by Gen- 
eral Scott, negotiations for peace began, which resulted in a 
treaty concluded on the 2d of February, 1848, at the city of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo, and ratified, with some modifications, bj^ 
the American senate, on the lOth of the following March. "^ ' . 

61. By the provisions of this treaty, Mexico ceded to ffie 
United States the provinces of Neiv Mexico and Upjoer Cali- 
fornia, and agreed to accept the Rio G-rande as the boundary 
between her territories and Texas. — The territory acquiied 
fi'om Mexico, by this treaty, including Texas, as well as T^eiB 
Mexico and California, amounts, according to the statement 
of President Polk, in his message to congress in December, 
1848, to 851,598 square miles. 

62. The United States, in return, stipulated to pay Mev'co 
15,000,000 of dollars, and to assume the debts due to citi; .,ns 
of the United States by the Mexican government, to the amojnt 
of 3,500,000 dollars. 

63. Soon after the acquisition of California, important gold 
mines were discovered on the Sacramento, which have been 
found to extend over a large tract of country, and to exceed in 
richness any other gold mines knov/n in any part of the worlc. 



UNITED STATES. 825 

These mines caused a sudden emigration to California of 
great numbers of persons, not only from the United States, but 
also from various foreign countries. The quantity of gold ob- 
tained from the mines during the first year (1848), notwith- 
standing the insufficiency of means and the want of system 
and experience in operation, wa^ estimated to amount in value 
lo upwards of $4,000,000. 

64. Such was the progress and such the issue of the Mex- 
ican war, — a war presenting a series of remarkable victories, 
imder the able management of Generals Scott and Taylor, and 
other American officers, and terminating in a great accession 
of territory to the United States. Still the important question 
may be asked. Can the war be justified on moral or religious 
principle .'' But however this question may be answered, it is 
to be hoped that a beneficent Providence will bring good out 
of evil, and cause, in the final result, an advancement of 
human freedom and human happiness, of good government 
and of true religion. 

65. In 1849, Mr. Polk was succeeded by Zachary Taylor, 
most of whose life had been spent as an officer in the army, 
and who, in the Mexican war, had acquired a high reputation 
as a military commander. General Taylor was the whig can- 
didate, and he received 163 electoral votes for president ; and 
General Lewis Cass, the democratic candidate, received 127 
votes. Millard Fillmore, the whig candidate, received 163 
votes for vice-president. 

66. President Taylor died suddenly at Washington, during 
the session of congress, on the 9th of July, 1850, greatly la- 
mented ; and Millard Fillmore, in accordance with the pro- 
vision of the Constitution, became President of the United 
States. 

67. Soon after the accession of Mr. Fillmore, a series of 
important acts were passed by congress, which have been 
styled " compromise meas'ires.'''' These acts consisted of 1I19 
admission of California into the Union as a State, the estab- 
lishment of the boundary of Texas, the organization of the 
territories of New Mexico and Utah, the ^suppression of the 
slave-trade in the District of Columbia, aiid the law for the 
rendition of fugitive slaves. 

68. The act for the rendition of fugitive slaves, which waa 
passed in the house of representatives, on the 12th of Septem- 
ber, 1850, by a vote of 109 to 75, contains some provisions 
which were very offensive to the whig party generally, and 
to most of the people in the free States, and its execution has 
in a k \v crises, been attended with much opposition. 



326 UNITED STATES. 

69. In 1849, General N. Lopez, a native of Venezuela, 
came to the United States, and organized a hostile expedition 
against the island of Cuba ; and in 1850, a second expedition. 
In these enterprises he was aided by some distinguished 
Southern men ; but both of these expeditions failed. 

70. In April, 1851, President Fillmore, htiving been in- 
formed of another attempt to invad" Cuba by lawless citizens 
of the United States, under the command of Lopez, issued a 1 
proclamation warning them of the consequences. I 

71. The expedition, however, comprising several hundred | 
men, a part of them foreigners, sailed from New Orleans in ! 
August, landed in Cuba, and were captured. Lopez suffered 1 
capital punishment on the 1st of September, in the Spanish 
form, by the garrote. Many of his followers were executed, i 
and some of them were ultiniately pardoned. 

72. Although Mr, Fillmore, by signing the fugitive slave ^ 
law bill, lost the support of many of his party, yet most of 
the measures of his administration were popular, some of the 
most noted of which were the reduction of inland postage to . 
3 cents on each single letter when prepaid, and an expedition 
to Japan, in 1852, under the command of Commodore Perry, \ 
which resulted in a favorable treaty with that empire, which j 
was ratified by the senate in 1854 ; and when he retired 
from ofiice, he left the country at peace, and in a high state j 
of prospexitv. i 



4- 



SECTION VIII. 



Pierce's Administration: — Kansas: Buchanan's Administra- 
tion: — Lincoln. — Secession. — From A. D. 1853 to 1861. 

1, In 1853, Mr. Fillmore was succeeded by Franklin 
Pierce., the democratic candidate, who received 254 electoral 
votes ; General Winjield Scott, the whig candidate, received 
42 votes. President Pierce, in his inaugural address, main- 
tained the recognition of slavery by the constitution, and the 
constitutionality of the fugitive slave law ; and he denounced, 
in strong terms, political agitation on the subject of slavery ; 
yet public measures were soon adopted, which tended greatly 
tp increase this agitation. 

2. After the termination of the war between the United 
States and Mexico, several lawless military expeditions (com* 
monly siy\ed filibustering expeditions) were made against JSio 
aragiiUf and som« of the other counuies of Central America, 



UNITED STATES. 327 

3. These expeditions were regarded with favor by n any of 
the people of the Southern States, and pecuniary aid was fur- 
nished by some of their wealthy men. The pretended object 
was to rescue those countries from tyranny, domestic and 
foreign ; and it was also designed to introduce slavery. 

4. The most noted leader in these enterprises was William 
Walker^ a native of Tennessee ; and the most considerable 
of the expeditions was made in 1855, against Nicaragua. 
Walker made himself master of the country, and after holding 
it for some time, he was finally expelled by the union against 
him of the other States of Central America. In this expe- 
dition, more than three thousand men miserably perished. 

5. In Walker's last expedition, he landed near Truxillo, in 
Honduras, took the fort on the 6th of August, 18C0, and he 
was shot on the 12th of September. 

6. At the assembling of the 34th Congress, on the 3d of 
December, 1856, there was an unprecendented struggle for 
the choice of a speaker, which lasted till the 2d of February 
(nine weeks), and, after 133 ballolings, resulted in the choice 
of Nathaniel P. Banks, wlio was elected by 103 votes, — 
100 votes being east for William Aikin. 

7. In October, 1854, a conference was held at Osfend, at 
which Mr. Buchanan, American minister to England, Mr. 
Mason, minister to France, and Mr. Soule, minister to Spain, 
were present ; and it was proposed by them to purchase the 
island of Cuba from Spain, for the sum of §120,000,000, and 
in case of her refusal to sell the island, to take it by force. 
This proposition was favored by the people of the Southern 
States, but was strongly disapproved by the people of the free 
States. 

8. Two important measures of this administration were the 
Reciprocity Treaty between the United States and Great 
Britain, providing for a commercial reciprocity between this 
country and the British American Provinces, and the estab- 
lishment of a Court of Claims at Washingion. 

9. In January, 1854, Mr. Douglas, chairman of the senate 
committee on Territories, introduced a bill for the organization 
of the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, in the country 
west of the State of Missouri, and north of the parallel of 
36° 30'. By the Missouri Compromise (noticed on page 311) 
slavery had been formally and forever excluded from this 
region ; but by this bill, which was supported by the adm nis- 
tration, the Missouri Compromise was repealed, and slavery 
was permitted to enter these Territories. 



328 UNITED STATES. 

10. The introduction of this bill soon excited the strong op- 
position, throughout the free States, of those who weie opposed 
to the further extension of slavery ; and in the month of March 
following, a memorial protesting against its passage, signed 
by 3,000 New England clergymen of different religious de- 
nominations, was presented to the senate ; but it was passed 
by that body, on the 26th of May, by a vote of 35 to 12. It 
was passed in the house of representatives by a vote of 113 
to 100. 

1 1. This measure caused great excitement in the free States : 
it was denounced as a flagrant breach of faith, and a violatioi 
of what was regarded as a sacred compromise ; and it led to 
a disastrous and sanguinary contest between those who advo- 
cated and those who opposed the establishment of slavery in 
these Territories. This unhappy contest continued during the 
administration of Mr. Pierce and that of his successor, Mr. 
Buchanan. 

12. Soon after the passage of this act, large emigrations v/ere 
made from the free States, with the design of making Kansas 
a free State. At the same time, great efforts were made to 
establish it as a slave State, by emigrants chiefly from the 
State of Missouri, many of them taking their slaves with them. 
A violent and sanguinary contest soon ensued between the 
advocates and the opponents of slavery ; and the grossest frauds 
were committed in several of the subsequent elections for the 
choice of public officers, and also for the choice of delegates 
for the formation of a constitution. 

13. Large bodies of armed men from Missouri, who have 
commonly been styled " Border Ruffians,'''' formed into regi- 
ments, entered the Territory, in order to frustrate, by military 
force, the purpose of those emigrants who designed to estab- 
lish Kansas as a free State, and a considerable number of 
lives were sacrificed in the conflict. 

14. The first governor of the Territory was A. H. Reeder, 
of Penns}dvania, who arrived in October, 1854 ; and an elec- 
tion for a delegate to congress was held in November, but a 
great part of the votes were cast by persons from Missouri, 
who were not residents of the Territory, and a majority of the 
votes was found to be illegal. 

15. In March, 1855, another election was held for choosing 
members of the territorial legislature, and it was found that, 
out of 6,218 votes cast, only 1,310 were legal, and of these 
791 were given for the free-state candidates. .__^ 

16. Wilson Shannon, of Ohio, was appointed governor in 
place of Reeder, and assumed office on the 1st of September. 
Delegates were chosen to a constitutional convention that 
as-sembled at Topeka, and, in November, promulgated a con- 



i 



UNITED STATES. 3.'9 

stitution in which slavery was prohibited ; but the Topeka Cow 
stifution was never carried into effect. 

17. In August, 1856, Shannon was succeeded in office by 
John W. Geary, of Pennsylvania, who found the Territory in 
a very disturbed condition, and after various conflicts, and inef- 
fectual endeavors to restore order, he demanded the removal 
of Lecompte, the district judge of Kansas, for gross misde- 
meanor ; but Lecompte, being sustained by a majority of the 
United States senate. Governor Geary resigned his office in 
March, 1857, and Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, was ap- 
pointed in his place, by Mr. Buchanan, who had now become 
President. 

18. In June, 1857, the delegates to another convention for 
forming a constitution were elected, but the free-state men, 
feeling that they had no security for a fair election, generally 
took no part in it. This convention met at Lecompton, and 
formed a constitution in which slavery was established. The 
promulgation of this constitution caused great excitement. It 
was strongly condemned by Governor Walker, who proceeded 
immediately to Washington to remonstrate against its adoption j 
but, before his arrival, it had been adopted by congress, and 
received the approval of the President. Governor Walker 
soon after resigned his office, and James W. Denver, of Cali- 
fornia, was appointed in his place. 

19. The Lecompton Constitution, when submitted to the 
people, in 1858, was rejected by a majority of upwards of 
10,000 votes. Soon after this rejection, Denver resigned his 
office, and Samuel Medary, of Ohio, was appointed governor. 

20. Delegates to another constitutional convention were 
elected, who met in July, 1859, at Wyandot, and formed a 
constitution in which slavery was prohibited. This constitu- 
tion was ratified by the people by about 4,000 majority. A 
State election was held under it, on the 6th of December, 
1859, and Charles Robinson was elected governor. 

21. Kansas, after a long, calamitous, and sanguinary con- 
flict, in which the grossest frauds were committed, and the 
vilest passions exhibited, was finally admitted, by congress, 
into the Union, in January, 1861, as a free State. 

22. In 1857, Franklin Pierce was succeeded by James Bu- 
chanan, the democratic candidate, who received 174 electoral 
votes. John C. Fremont, the republican candidate, received 
114 electoral votes. 

23. The two great political parties into which the people 
of the United States had, for a considerable number of years, 
been divided, were the democratic and the whig parties; but 
after the repeal by congress of the Missouri Compromise, a 

28* 



330 UNITED STATES. 

party styled the republican party was formed, composeJI 
chiefly of those citizens who had before belonged to the whig 
party. The leading principle of this new party was oppo- 
sition to the further extension of slavery into free territory ; 
yet it maintained that congress had no right to interfere with 
slavery as it existed in the slave States. 

24. The subject of slavery continued unhappily to disturb 
the peace of the country during Mr. Buchanan's administration, 
as it had done during that of Mr. Pierce ; and his administra- 
tion was noted for the continuation of the troubles in Kansas, 
for the raid of John Brown in Virginia, and, towards its close, 
for the mancEUvres and preparations for the great rebellion 
which soon followed. Three of the members of his cabinet, 
Cobb, Thompson, and Floyd, ultimately took an active and 
prominent part in the secession of the slave States, and much 
was done by them, while in office, to aid it, especially by 
Floyd, the secretary of war, by sending the United States 
arms and munitions of war to the Southern States. 

25. On the 16th of October, 1859, John Brown, with 
fifteen white men, two of them his sons, and five men of 
color, made a foolhardy invasion into the State of Virginia, 
with the avowed object of freeing the slaves, took possession of 
the United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and a consider- 
able part of the town, and seized and held some of the citi- 
zens as hostages. Four of the inhabitants were killed in the 
conflict. 

26. A great panic was soon raised in the neighborhood, and 
in a great part of the State of Virginia; and the next day some 
of the federal troops and of the Virginia militia arrived, and 
1,500 armed men were on the ground to suppress the insur- 
rection. 

27. Brown and his men, with the hostages, took refuge in 
the armory buildings, which were seized by the troops; twelve 
of the invaders were killed, Brown and four of his men were 
taken prisoners, and two of them escaped, but they were after- 
wards captured. Brown and the six other prisoners were 
brought to trial, and were hanged. 

28. This mad enterprise caused a great sensation through- 
out the country, and it was generally condemned, as wholly 
unjustifiable, in the free, as well as in the slave States. 

29. Brown was a native of Connecticut, but had passed 
most of his life in Ohio, and he had sustained, from early 
life, the character of an upright and religious man. He had 
long been a zealous abolitionist, and, together with six sons, 
had taken an active part in the contest to prevent the establish- 
ment of slavery in Kansas ; and in this contest one of his sons 
was killea. 



UNITED STATES. 331 

30. His hostility to slavery became a sort of monomania, 
and he was thought by some persons to be insane. But Mr. 
Wise, the governor of Virginia, who had interviews with him, 
said of him, " They are mistaken who take him to be a 
madman. He is a man of clear head, cool, collected, indom- 
itable. — He inspired me with great trust in his integrity as a 
man of truth." 

31. After his condemnation, he maintained unwavering 
firmness, serenity, and cheerfulness; corresponded much with 
his family and friends, — regarding himself as a martyr who 
had sacrificed his life in a good cause ; and he met his fate 
in such a manner as excited the admiration even of those 
who condemned his course. 



32. At the time of the adoption of the federal constitution, 
and long afterwards, there was little difference of opinion be- 
tween the Northern and the Southern States on the subject of 
slavery. In both parts of the country, it was regarded as a 
" social, moral, and political evil." 

33. This was the opinion of Washington, Jefferson, Mad- 
ison, Patrick Henry, Marshall, Pinckney, and some of the 
other eminent Southern statesmen ; and it was a common ex- 
pectation that the institution would, before long, be abolished. 

34. But after the invention of the cotton-gin by Mr. Whit- 
ney, in 1794, the cultivation of cotton became a very impor- 
tant business, the value of slaves and of slave labor was greatly 
increased, and to extend and perpetuate the institution of 
slavery soon became a leading object in the Southern States. 
Since that time, slavery has unhappily been a disturbing polit- 
ical question, which has caused much dissension and hostile 
feeling between the free and the slave States. 

35. 'f his feeling was strongly manifested when the State of 
Missouri was admitted into the Union, and the Missouri Com- 
promise was formed ; and it was greatly increased by the 
repeal of this Compromise by the bill for the organization of 
the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska. 

36. In 1860, the 16th President of the United States was 
elected. Previous to this election, the country was in a state 
of great prosperity, being at peace at home and abroad ; yet 
it was convulsed by fierce party contentions in relation to this 
election. The two principal parties into which the country 
was divided, were the democratic and the republican ; and 
$lavery was the great cause of strife. 

37. The democratic party, which was strongly supported in 
the slave States, and which had long had the ascendency in 
the eoun'vy, being unable to unite on a candidate for the Pres- 



332 UMTED STATES. 

idency, was divided into two sections. The Southtrn sedJon 
which was the most strenuous to promote the interests of 
slavery, took John C. Breckenridge, for its candidate ; the 
other section took Stephen A. Douglas ; the candidate of the 
republican party was Abraham Lincoln; and the candidate 
of a fourth party, styled the Union party ^ was John Bell, k 

38. The election, which was conducted without violence, 
took place on the 6th of November, 1860, and resulted in the 
choice o? Abraham Lincoln, who received 180 electoral votes; 
Breckenridge had 72, Bell 39, and Douglas 12. 

39. As soon as the result was ascertained, it appeared, on 
the part of South Carolina and other Southern States, that it 
had been the intention of these States not to acquiesce in the 
result of the election, unless it resulted in the choice of their 
own candidate ; and, in pursuance of a previously formed de- 
sign, the State of South Carolina, acting by a convention 
chosen for the purpose, passed, on the 20th of December, 
by a unanimous vote, an act of secession from the Union ; 
and the news was hailed with enthusiasm by the other South- 
ern States, which soon after joined in the secession. 

40. South Carolina having adopted resolutions to form a 
confederate government of the slavelwlding States, seized the 
custom-house, post-office, and arsenal at Charleston, and occu- 
pied Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie. 

41. On the 4th of February, delegates from the seceding 
States met at Montgomery, in Alabama, adopted a provisional 
constitution, and elected Jefferson Davis provisional president, 
and Alexander H. Stevens provisional vice-president of the 
Confederate States, which, in May, consisted of the following 
eleven States: — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisi- 
ana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, 
Texas, and Virginia. 

42. On the 4th of March, 1861, in this convulsed state of 
the country, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President 
of the United States. 

43. A military force of the State of South Carolina, (no 
attempt having been made to show to the world that there 
were any political grievances to be complained of,) com- 
menced, with a design to overthrow the federal government, a 
causeless rebellion and iniquitous war, by the bombardment of 
Fort Sumter, on the 12th of April ; and it was surrendered, 
on the 14th, by Major Anderson. 

44. On the i5th of April, President Lincoln issued a proc- 
lamation, calling for 75,000 volunteers, and commanding all 
persons who had combined together to oppose the execution 
of the l^s "to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respec- 
-ive abo^s within twenty days" ; and he called an extra ses- 
sion of pongress to meet on the 4th of Julv /^ 

T 




UNITED STATES. 



333 



A. D 

1600 



17M 



Chronological Table of the History of the U. States. 



7 1 Virginia«settled by the Emjlish. 
14 New York " " Dutch. 
20 Massachusetts " " Enylish Puritans. 
23(New Hampsliire 

New Jersey " 

Delaware " 

Maine " 

Maryland " 

Connecticut " 

Rhode Island " 



1700 



\Uh 



1800 



\MK 



English Puritans. 

Dutch. 

Swedes and Fins. 

English. 

Irish Catholics. 

English Puritans. 

English under Roger Williams. ' 
Confederation of the Colonies of iVe^y England for mutual defen« 
North Carolrna settled by the English. 
New York surrendered by the Dutch to the English. 
The Colonies of Connecticut and New Haven united. 
South Carolina settled by the English. 

Pennsylvania settled by English Quakers under William Penn. 
The Colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay united. 



24 
27 
30 
34 
35 
.36 
43 
50 
64 
65 
70 
82 
92 

~2 
33 
63 

75 
76 
88 
89 
91 
92 
96 Tennessee 



East and West Jersey united, and styled New Jersey. 
Georgia settled by the English under General Oglethorpe. 
Peace of Paris : French war ends: Canada contirmed to Engl. 
The Revolutionary War begins : Peace restored in 1783. 
Declaration of the INDEPENDENCE of the United States. 
The Constitution of the United States adopted. 
GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1st President of the U. States. 
Vermont admitted into the Union as a State. 
Kentucky 



JOHN ADAMS, 2d President of the United States. 
Hostilities with France. 



1 TIKJMAS JEFFERSON, 3d President of the United States. 

2 r)hio admitted into the Union as a State. 

3 Louisiana piirchascd of France by the United States. 

7 General Emharqo laid in all tlie poVts of the U. S. ; repealed 1809. 
/9 JAMES MADISON, 4tli President of the United States. 

1 1 Louisiana admitted into the Union as a State. 

12 Declaration of I fin- against England, June 18 : ends Dec. 24, '14. 

16 Indiana admitted iuro the Union as a State. 

17 JAMES MONROE, 5th President of the United States. 
17 Mississippi; in 1818, IlUnois ; in 1819, Alabama; in 1820, 

Maine; in 1821, Missouri; admitted into the Union as State: 
21 Florida, ceded to the United States hv Spain. 
25 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, (Jtli President of the U. States. 

28 The Tariff Law enacted, imposing protecting duties on impel t& 

29 iVNDREVV JACKSON, 7th President of the United States 
32 South Carolina passes an act to nullify the laws of the U. S. 
37 MARTIN VAN RUREN, 8th President of the U. States. 
41 ; WxM. H. HARRISON, 9th, & Johx Tyler, lOth Pres. of U.S. 
45 Texas annexed, and admitted into the Union as a State. 

45 JAMES K. POLK, 11 tii President of the United States. 
-16 War with Mexico begins : — Peace restored in 18 18. 

48 Nca^ Me.vico and Culifornia. annexed to the United States. 

49 Z.VCHARY TAYLOR, 12th President of the United State.s, 

50 .MILLARD FILLMORE, 13th President of the U States. 
53 FR.VNKLIN PIERCE, 14th President of the Unitcd^Sfates. 
57 JAMES BUCHANAN, 15th President of the United States. 
61 1 ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 16th President of the Unit^ States. 
&\ Secession of eleven Southern States. — Civil War. ^ 



334 



UNITED STATES 




Events of the Eevolutionakt Wak. 



1765 



76 



77 



78 



81 



83 



The Stamp Act passed by the British Parliament. 

Resolutions against the Stamp Act passed by the Assemblies of 
Virginia and Massachusetts. 

First Colonial Congress, from nine Colonies, meets at New York. 

The Stamp Act repealed by the British Parliament. 

Act of Parliament imposing duties on tea, paper, glass, and paint- 
ers' colors. 

British troops airive at Boston. 

Affray between the British troops and the inhabitants of Boston 
three of the latter killed. 

British tea thi'own into the harbor at Boston. 

The Boston Port Bill, shutting up the harbor, passed. 

First Continental Congress meets at Pliiladelphia. 

The Revolutionaet War begins by a skirmish at Lexington. 

Ticonderoga and Crown-Point taken by the Americans 

Battle. I Victor, Loss. I Defeated. Loss. 

1. Bunker Hill, | Howe, 1,054 j Prescott, . . 453 

Congress meets ; George Washington chos-en commander-in-chief. 

Boston evacuated by the British, and Canada by the Americans. 

Declaration o/" Independence; July 4. 



2. 



Flatbush, or 



Brooklyn, ) 
3. Wliite Plains, 



400 



Putnam & Sullivan, 2,000 
Washington, 3 or 400 



Howe, 

Howe, 3 or 400 
Fort Washington, on the Hudson, containing a garrison of up 

wards of 2,800 men, taken by the Biitish. 
Gen. Washington retreats thi'ough N. Jersey over the Delaware. 



4. Trenton, 

5. Princeton, 

6. Bennington, 

7. Brandywine, 

8. Gei-mantown, 

9. Stillwater, 



Washington, 

Washington, 

Stark, 

Howe, , 

Howe, 

Gates, 



9 
100 
100 
500 
600 
350 



Rahl, . . 1,000 
Mawhood, . . 400 
Baum & Breyman, 600 
Washington, . 1,000 
Washington, 1,200 

Burgoyne, . 600 



10. Monmouth, 
11 Rhode Island, 
12, Briar- Creek, 



Clinton, 


iOO 


Pigott, 


260 


Ash, . 


300 



730 



Burgoyne surrenders to Gen. Gates, at Saratoga, with 5,752 men. 
A rticles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the Thir- 
teen United States. 
Treaty of Alliance between the United States and France. 

Washington, 230 

Sullivan, 211 

Prevost, 16 

Charleston, S. C, sun-endered to Sir Henry Clinton. 

13. Camden, | CornwalHs, 325 | Gates, 
Treachery of Arnold in attempting to deliver up West Point. 

14. Cow-pens, Morgan, 72 I Tarleton, . . 800 

15. Guilford, N.C. Comwallis, 523 Greene, . . 400 

16. Eutaw Springs, Greene, 550 | Stewart, . 1,000 
New London taken and burnt by Arnold. 

Comwallis surrenders to Washington at Yorhtown, with 7,073 
men, the last important event of the Revolutionaiy War. 

Treaty of Peace with England ; the Independence of the United 
States acknowledged. 



2Vo<e. — The numbers 1 {Bunker Hill), 2, 3, &c., to 16 (Eutaw Springs), are prefixed 
lo the places where the principal bailies were fought, with the names of the viclorioua 
commanders, with their loss in killed and wounded, as slated by the best authorities, 
placed on the left of the defeated commanders. But the exact amount of loss, in many 
instances, was never ascertained. Ihe two events most important to Ihe ^me^icaH 
cause were the surrenders at Saratoga and Yor/ctotim. 



UNITED STATES. 



A. D. 

1600 



Uth 



Cheonology of Improvements and Eveuts 

indicatii.j the Progress of Society. 



iSth 



1800 



9th 



1700 -r 

4 

10 
19 
20 
25 
33 
46 
49 
64 
69 
74 
75 
75 
80 
81 
82 
84 
84 
90 
90 
91 
91 
94 



Tobacco first cultivated by the English in Virgiuia. 

Harvard College founded at Cambridge, Mass. ""• 

First Printing Press \.\ the Colonies, at Cambridge, Mass. '-• 

Camliridge Platfoi'm adopted. 

Eliot's Indian Testament {Bible in 1664) printed at Cambridge-L 

William and ^farl/ College founded at Williamsburg, Va. 

Cultivation of Rice introduced into South Carolina. — 

Pop*.. Jion of the Colonies about 260,000. — 

Ya,e College, the third in the Colonies, founded. 



Boston Xeics Letter, the first American Newspaper, published.— 
First Post- Office in America, at New York.— 
First P/iiladelphia Newspaper published.. --- 
Tea begins to be used in New England. '~ 
First Neic York Neicspaper published. - 
First Lodge of Free>iiasons in America, at Boston. 
Colleqe of New Jerseij founded. 
Wii'te Population of the Colonies 1,046,000. ■ 
First Mtdical School in the Colonies, at Philadelphia. 
American Philosophical Sociefg instituted at Philadelphia. 
The streets of Boston first lighted with lamps. ' " 
Population of the Colonies about 2,600,000. " 
The number of Newspapers in the Colonies 37. 
American Academy of Arts and Sciences instituted at Boston. 
Bank of North Amei-ica, first American bank, instituted.— 
First American 74 gun ship built at Portsmouth, N. H. - 
Bishop Scabury, first Bishop in the United States, consecrated. 
First American voyage to China from New York. — 
Bishop Can-oil, first 'Ca//io//c Bishop in the U. S., consecrated. 
First Census of the U. S. taken : — Population 3,929,326- 
First Q'larto Bibles printed in the U. S., at Worcester, Mass. 
United States Mint established at Philadelphia. "^ 
I The Cotton- Gin invented by E. Whitney. CWton soon after- 
I wards became an imjiortant article of produce. 
First Turnpike corporation in Massachusetts established 
Transi/lvania University, fir9.t west of the Alleghanies, instituted. 



Aliout 200 Neivspapers published in the United States 

Merino Sheep first imported. ■* 

Middlesex Canal, the first large canal, completed." 

SteMuboafs first used on the Hudson. * 

Andouer Tlieological Seminary, first of the kind in theU. States 

Number of Neivspapers published in the United States 359. 

First Steamboat on the Mississippi and Ohio.-^ NavigatioB by 
steam was soon afterwards extensively introduced. 

The American Education Society instituted. 

The American Bible Society instituted. 

The Erie Canal completed. — 

The American Temperance Society instituted. 

The Ohio Canal completed.. 

The Columbia Railroad; and in 1835, the Boston and LoweU, 
Boston and Providence, Boston and Worcester, and Chesapeake 
and Ohio Railroads, opened. — Many other important rail- 
roads were soon afterwards completed. 

Number of Newspapers and other Periodicals in U. S. 1 ,555. 

The Electric Telegraph first used for conveying intelligence. ^^ 



36 



UNITED STATES. 



Distinguished Americans. 



1600 



SU-.esmen and "g 
Civilians. ~ 



noo 



18th 



1800 



.9lk 



John Carver 21 

John Smith 31 

Lord Baltimore 32 
John Winihrop 49 
EdwardWinslow 5-5 
Wm. Bradford -57 
Tlieophil. Eaton 57 
John Endicott 65 
Charlea Calvert 70 
Philip. Khig, 7G 
Sir W Berkeley 77 
W. Cuddington 
Sir Wm. Phips 95 



Warriors and 
Commanders. 



Sir Edm. Audros 14 
William Penn 1 
Williajn Biirnet 29 
William Shirley 
Josiah (iiiiiLCy 75 
Peyton Randolph 75 
Phil. Livingston 78 
Rich. Stockton 81 
James Otis 83 

Jona. Trumbull 85 
Joseph Reed S5 
W. Livingston 90 
Jaines Bovvdoin 90 
Henry Laurens 9<! 
John Hancock 93 
Roirer Sherman 93 
Richard H. Lee 94 
Patrick Henry 99 
Geo. Washington 99 
John Rutledge 



Samuel Adams 3 
Ale.x. Hamilton 4 
George Wythe 6 
Oliver Ellsworth 7 
Fisher Ames 8 

Theoph. Parsons 13 
Samuel Dexter 15 
Caleb Strong 20 
Elias Boudinot 21 
Wm. Lowndes 22 
WilliamPinkney22 
C. C. Pinckney 25 
John Adams 26 
Thomas Jefferson 26 
Rufus Kins 27 

De Witt Clinton 23 
Tim. Pickering 29 
John Jay 
James Monroe 
John Ranilnlph 
AVilliam Wirt 
John Marshall 
Aaron Burr 
James Madison 



Wm. H.Harrl3on41 

Jeremiah Smith 42 John Rogers 



Miles Standish 56 



John Mason 



Josiah Winslow 



F. Higginson 30 
John Harvard 38 
Thomas Hooker 47 
Thomas Shepard 49 
John Cotton 52 

Nathaniel Ward 53 
John Norton 63 
Richard Mather 69 
John Davenport 70 
Charles Chauncy 72 
Urian Cakes 
Roger WiUiams S3 
John Eliot 90 



Renj. Church 18 
Sir W. Peppered 59 
John AVinslow 74 
Joseph Warren 7t 
K. JMonlgomery 7.' 
John Thomas 76 
Hugh Mercer 77 
David Wooster 77 
Count Pulaski 79 
Charles Lee 82 

Lord Stirling S3 
Nathaniel Greene 86 



Ethan Allen 
Israel Putnam 90 
Baron Steuben 94 
John Sullivan 95 
Francis Marion 95 
Anthony Wayne 96 
Thomas Mifflin 
Artemas Ward 



Philip Schuyler 4 
William Moultrie 5 
Henry Knox 
Horatio Gates 
Edward Preble 
William Eaton 
Benj. Lincoln 
James Clinton 
George Clinton 
ZebuTon M. Pike 13 
James Lawrence 13 
William Heath 14 
Arthur St. Clair 18 
OMver H. Perry 20 
Stephen Decatur 20 
John Stark 2Z 

Thomas Truxlon 22 
J. Wilkinson 25 
J. Macdonough 25 
Thos. Pinckney 28 
Jacob Brown 2-3 
Thomas Sumter .32 
Wm. Bainbridge 33 
G. M. Lafayette 34 
Wade Hampton 35 



Joseph Story 
James Kent 47 
John Q Adams 43 
Albert Gallitin 49 
JohnC. Calhoun 50 
Henry Clay S2 

Daniel Webster 52 



33 

S. Van Rensselaer 39 
John Armstrong 4) 
Isaac Hull 43 

Andrew Jackson 45 
Edm'd P. Gaines 43 
Wm. J. Worth 48 
Zachary Taylor 50 



William Hubbard 4 

Samuel Willard 7 

Increase Mather 23 

Cotton Mather 28 

Benj. Col man 47 

David Brainerd 47 

John Cal lender 48 

Jona. Edwards 58 

Thomas Prince 58 

Samuel Davies 61 

Gilbert Tonnent 64 

Jona. Mayhew 66 

Thomas Clap 67 

Samuel Johnson 72 
Charles Chauncy 87 

Mather Byles 88 

Joseph Bellamy 90 

J. Witherspoon 94 

Ezra Stiles 95 

Jer. Belknan 98 



Jona. Edwards 
John Evving 
Samuel Hopkins 
Joseph Willard 
John B. Linn 
Buckminster 
Abp. J. Carroll 
H.E.Muhlenberg 
Bp. Theo. Delion 
Timothy Dwight 
Sam. S. Smith 
Jesse Appleton 
Joseph Lathrop 
Benj. Trumbull 
Sam. Worcester 
J. Heckewelder 
Jedediah Morse 
Edward Pay son 
John M. Mason 
Bp. J. H. Hohart 
J. P. Wilson 
John H. Rice 
C. H. Wharton 
Ebenezer Porter 
Bp. Wm. White 
Abiel Holmes 
Noah Worcester 
Nath'l Emmons 
JohnTKirkland 
W. E.C banning 
Samuel Miller 
IMoses Smart 
Leonard Woods 



Miscellaneous. .^ 



A. Hutchinson 43 
W. Brewster 44 



Edw. Johnson 72 
Nath. Morton 85 
Samuel Gorton 87 
Daniel Gookin 87 



R. Beverly 17 

Thomas Godfrey49 
James Logan 51 
Z. Boylston 66 
Jona. Mitchell. 72 
John Clayton 73 
Cadw.^Colden 76 
John Bartram 77 
John Winthrop 79 
T. Hutchinson 80 
Jona. Carver 80 
Ant. Benezet 84 
John Ledyard 89 
Tho. Hutchins 89 
John Morgan 89 
Benj. Franklin 90 
F. Hopkinson 91 
D. Riitenhouse 96 
James Wilson 
John Bard 99 



George R. Minot 2 
Roliert Morris 6 
John Dickinson 8 
Ch. B. Brown 9 
Joel Barlow 12 
Joseph Dennie 12 
Benjamin Rush 13 
Count Rumford 14 
Robert Fulton 15 
David Ramsiy 15 
B. S. Barton 15 
Caspar Wistar IS 
Eli Whitney 25 
Gilbert Stewart 23 
Stephen Elliott 30 
William Tudor 30 
Isaiah Thomas 31 
John Trumbull 31 
S. L. MitcheU 31 
Nathan Dane 35 
William Rawle 36 
E. Livingston 36 
Philip S.Physic37 
Nat. Bowdilch 38 
J. A. HiUhouse 41 
Noah Webster 43 
Wash. Allston 43 
P.S.Duponceau 44 
John Pickering 46 
HenrvWheaton4S 
50>Jn9. F. Cooper 51 
52!Wm,H.Prescott59 
54 i Wash. Irving 59 



UNITED STATES. 



337 



Population of the United States. — Eight Official Enumerations. \ 


states. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 1 1&30. 1 1840. 


1S50. 1300. 


New Hampshire 

Massachusetts 
Rhode Island 
Connecticut 
New York 
New Jersey 
Pennsylvania 
Oelaware 
Maryland 
^'il■ginia 
North Carolina 
South Carolina 
Georgia AtJm. 
Vermont 1791 
Kentucky 1792 
Tennessee 1790 
Ohio 1802 
Ixinisiana 1812 
Indiana 1810 
Mississippi 1817 
Illinois 1818 
Al.ibama 1819 
Maine IS.'O 
Missouri IS.T 
INlieliigan 1836 
Arkansas 18.10 
Florida 1845 
Texas 1845 
Iowa 1840 
Wisconsin 1848 
California 1850 
Oregon 1858 
Dist. of Columbia 
Territories 


141,899 
378,717 
69,110 
238,141 
.340,1^0 
184,1,39 
4.34,373 
59,098 
319,728 
748,;i08 
393,75] 
249,073 
82,548 
8.3,416 
73,077 
30,791 

90,540 


18.3,762 
42.3,245 

69,122 
251,002 
586,736 
211,949 
602,305 

64,273 
341,.54S 
880,200 
478,103 
345„501 
102,101 
154,405 
220,955 
105,«)2 

4.5,,365 

' 4,875 
8,850 

151,719 

"14,093 
6,,30S,925 


214,360 
472,040 
77,031 
262,042 
959,949 
249,555 
810,091 
72,674 
380,546 
974,642 
555,500 
415,715 
252,4.33 
217.713 
406.511 
261,7:.'7 
2.30,760 
76,55(i 
24,520 
40,352 
12,282 
20,845 
228,70.5 
20,845 
4,762 

"24,023 


244,161 

523,287 

Sl,0,59 

275,:.0:. 

I, .372,812 

277,575 

1,049,4.58 

72,749 

407,.35O 

1,005,379 

638,829 

,502,74) 

340,987 

2.35,704 

504,317 

422,813 

581,434 

153,407 

147,178 

75,448 

55,211 

127,901 

29S,.'«5 

66,.580 

8,896 

14,273 

'&3,6,39 


! 269,328 
610,408 
97,199 
297,065 
1,918,608 
,321,823 
1,348,2.33 
70,748 
447,IH0 
1,211,405 
737,987 
581.185 
510,823 
280,052 
687,917 
081 ,904 
937,!)03 
215,7,39 
343,031 
130,021 
157,455 
,309,527 
.399,935 
140,445 
31,639 
30,.3,S8 
34,730 

' 39>34 
12,866,920 


n.84,574 
737,099 
108,.S.30 
309,978 

2,428,921 
.373,,306 

1,724,033 
7S,0,S5 
470,019 

1,2.39,797 
753,419 
594,398 
691 ,.392 
291,948 
779,828 
829,210 

1,519,407 
352,411 
685,.806 
375,051 
470.1.S.3 
■590,7.50 
501,7!)3 
.383,702 
212,207 
97,574 
54,477 

43,112 

30,945 

'43,712 
17,063,353 


317,976' 320,272 
994,914 1,231,005 
147,545 174,021 
370,792 400,161 

3,097,,3!H 3,880,735 
489,555 672,031 

2,311,786 2,900,370 
91,5.32 112,2)8 
6&3,0,34 687.fQ4 

1,421,661 l,.59e,079 
860,0.39 992.007 
66.8,507 703,<,12 
906,185 1,057.3-9 
3)3,120 315,110 
9.S2,405 1,155,713 

1,002,717 1,109,847 

1,980,329 2,,339,599 
517,702 709,290 
9&8,416 1,350,941 
606,526 r91,,396 
851,470 1,711,753 
771,023 964,296 
583,169 628,276 
682,044 llf2„3I7 
S97.ia4 749,112 
209,897 4;J5,427 
87,445 140,4.39 
212,.592 (»2,4.32 
192,214 674,948 
305,391 775,.'-73 
165,000 S80,l)l() 
.52.4<i4 
51,087 75,070 
. . 220,143 

23,203,485 31,44;^,790 


Total, 


3,929,827 


7,2.39,814 


9,638,131 





Slaves in 


THE United States. 






States. 


1790. 


1800. 


1810. 


1820. 


18.30. 


I,S40. 


1850. 1 


1860. 


Maine 


























New Hampshire 


158 


8 











1 








^ ermont 


17 

















ol 





Massachusetts 




















0: 





Kliode Island 


952 


381 


vn 


48 


17 1 


5 


"i 





Connecticut 


2,7,59 


951 


310 


97 


25 


17 


Ql 





New York 


■'l,;:4 


20,343 


15,0)7 


10,088 


75, 


4 








New .Tersey 


U.'.-?. 


12,422 


10,,8.51 


7,057 


2,2,54 


674 


236 





Pennsylvania 


.".,737 


1,700 


795 


211 


403 


04 


n| 





Delaware 


8,ss;7 


0,1.53 


4,177 


4,509 


3,292: 


2,005 


2,299i 


1,7.^8 


Marvhiud 


lO.'l.O.'IO 


l(i.5,i;.':.5 


111, .502 


107,.39S 


I02,.94' 


89,737 


90,308' 


87,188 


Virginia 


211.3,427 


.'^4.5 rsii 


.392.518 


425,1,53 


409,757 


4-l8,9.s7 


472,528; 


490.887 


North Carolina 


1011,572 


l:;:;,-!iO 


108.824 


295,1)7 


235,li01 


245,817 


2S8..5481 


531,080 


S..uth Carolina 


107,1194 


14ll,i51 


I90..303' 258,475 


315,401 


327.9.38 


,3,S4,984i 


402,541 


Georgia 


29,264 


59,404 


105,218 149,056 


2)7.531' 


280,944 


S81,fj82| 


462,232 


Florida 








15,.501, 


25,717 


39,.310 


6) ,753 








. . 41,879 


117„549 


2.53.532 


,342,844! 


435,132 


Mississippi 




3,489 


17,0,8,8 32,.S14 


65.0.59 


195,211 


309„87S: 


430,690 


Louisiana 






34,0iai: 69,064 


]09„5,8S 


1(W,452 


244„S09i 


332,010 


.Missouri 






3,011 i 10,222 


25,081 


5.8,1-40 


87,422: 


1)4,905 


Arkansas 






. . 1,617 


4,.570 


19,935 


47,100! 


111,104 


Tennessee 


3,417 


i.3,684 


44,5.3.5! 80,107 


141,003 


183,059 


2.39.4591 


275,7,84 


Kentucky 


11,8:30 


40,.i43 


80,561 126,732 


165,213 


182,258 


210,9811 




Texas 








Oi 








Ohio 











3 


' " 








136 


237 190 


0' 


3 


ol 




Illinois 






168; 117 


747; 


331 








Michigan 






24: . . 


32 





"i 




Wisconsin 










11 












1 






" 




jUist. of Columbia 




3,244 
"893,041 


5,395 0,377 


6,119 

2,009,031 


4,094 
2,487,.355 


3,687! 
3,204,2i)0 


3,181 


'^ Total, 


097,897 


1,191,304 


),, 538,004 


3,933,624 



29 



338 UNITED STATES. 

Remarks. — The Population of the several States, and also the 
number of Slaves In each State, according to eight censuses, or 
official enumerations, are exhibited on the preceding page. 

The census is not as correct as it should be. According to the cen- 
sus of 1840, there were a few slaves In the States o( JVew Hampshire, 
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Neto Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, though there were none in these States, 
slavery In them being prohibited by law. In New Jersey, however, 
there were a few colored persons, styled apprentices by the State act 
to abolish slavery, of April 18, 1846. 

The first thirteen States In the table are the States which existed 
at the time of the forming of the Constitution of the United States. 
The other States are arranged in the order In which they have been 
admitted into the Union. 

Maine formed a part of the State of Massachusetts till 1820, when 
it was admitted into the Union as an independent State. 

By the table it will be seen that the Population of the United 
States has increased, from 1790 to 1860 (70 years), from less than 4 
millions to upwards of 31 millions. 

The number of Slaves has increased from a little less than 700,000 
to upwards of 3,950,000. 

The population of the United States, since 1790, has doubled once 
in about 24 years. 



Post-Offices. 

The number of Post-Offices in the United States, in 1790, was 75; 
in 1810, 2,300; In 1830, 8,450; in 1840, 13,468; in 1850, 18,417; 
in 1860, 28,498. 

Railroads. 

The first considerable railroads for conveying passengers in the 
United States were opened in 1834 and 1835. — The number of 
miles of railroad in use, in 1849, was upwards of 6,000 ; in 1859, 
upwards of 27,000. 

Literary Seminaries. 

Colle.f/es. — The first college in the Colonies was founded at Cam- 
bridge, in 1638. The number of Colleges existing, in 1700, was 3 
the number of colleges and universities in the United States, in 1800 
26; in 1860, 122. 

Medical Schools. — The number of medical schools in the United 
States, in 1800, was 3; in 1860, 40. 

Thcolorjical and Law Schools. — Almost all the theological schools 
in the United States have been established within the last forty 
years, and the law schools are of still later date. 

The number of theological schools m 1860 was 50; law schools, 19. 



CHAET OF HISTORY. 



DESCRIPTION AND ILLUSTRATION. 

1. T3.IS Chart affords means of facilitating the study of 
History similar to what are afforded by maps in the study of 
Geography. It supposes time to be flowing, in a stream, fnmn 
the left hand to the right ; and represents, at one view, the 
principal States and Empires which have existed in the world, 
together with their origin, revolutions, decline, and fall. 

2. Those who may make use of this Chart are supposed to 
be conversant with the common principles of Geography, and 
to understand the relative situation and importance of the dif- 
ferent countries which are represented. It will be readily 
seen, that the spaces, which represent the several countries on 
the Chart, do not give any exact idea of the extent, of those 
countries, but of the revolutions which they have undergone, 
and, in some degree, of their comparative importance in his- 
tory. Those parts of the world which are almost unknown in 
history (as, for example, all Africa except Egypt and the Bar- 
bary States) are not represented at all on the Chart. 

3. In the arrangement of the countries, the geographical 
order is generally followed. It unavoidably happens, that, 
owing to conquests, and other acquisitions, the several parts of 
an empire or state cannot always be placed in a contiguou? 
position. To remedy this inconvenience, recourse has been 
had to coloring the different parts of the same empire with the 
same color, by means of which the eye can embrace, at one 
view, the various territories of which it was, at any given pe- 
liod, composed. The colors fit for this purpose are so few, that 
a repetition of some of them has been necessary ; but they are 
applied in such a manner as not to be likely to mislead the 
Etudent. 

4. The scale of the main body of the Chart comprises a pe- 
riod of 2,700 years ; namely, from the year B. C. 800, to the end 
of the 19th century. This interval is divided into 27 equal parts, 
by perpendicular lines, extending from the top to the bottom, 
each space between the lines denoting the period of 100 years. 

5. To the left hand of that portion of the Chart appropriated 
to America, are represented the principal states that flourished 
in remote antiquity, from the time of the Deluge to the ycfi 
ftOO before the Christiin Era. 



340 CHART OF HISTORY 

6. The several countries of which the histoiy is deh'neated 
are represented by spaces included between horizontal lines. 
The slant lines denote the gradual conquest of a country ; as, 
^or example, the conquest of the Britons by the Romans was 
commenced A. D. 43, but not completed till 84. 

7. In order to ascertain the date of any event or revolution 
in the history represented on the Chart, add the figures at the 
line denoting the event to the next century, if lefore Christ, on 
the right hand, and if after Christ, on the left hand, and the 
sum will give the date before or after Christ, as the case may be. 

8. Thus it appears, that Egypt dates from 2188 B. C. ; the 
Calling of Ahrahara, 1921 ; the foundation of Rome, 753 B. C. , 
that Macedonia was annexed to the Roman Empire 168 B. C. ; 
that the Heruli conquered Italy, and put an end to the Western 
Roman Empire, in the year 476 after Christ ; and that the 
Turks put an end to the Eastern Empire in 1453. 

9. By carrying the eye horizontally upon the Chart, from the 
left hand to the right, one may see the succession of states and 
empires ; their rise, progress, and fall ; of what states they 
were composed, and what states rose from their ruins. 

10. By carrying the eye vertically upon the Chart, from the 
top to the bottom, one may see what states and empires were 
flourishing at any given era. At the period of 500 years B. C, 
it will be seen that the Persian Empire was much the most 
considerable then existing ; that it had swallowed up the Baby- 
lonian empire, and various other countries in Asia, and also 
Egypt ; that the Grecian States existed separate and independ- 
ent ; that the republic of Rome was of very small extent ; and 
that the nations of the middle and north of Europe were un- 
conquered and independent. 

11. At the period of A. D. 100, it will be seen that the Ro- 
man Empire embraced almost all the then known world ; that 
the Britons had been recently subdued, but that the I/ish^ 
Scots, and the northern 7iations of Europe, and also the Par' 
thians, Arals, Hindoos, and Chinese (nations then little known), 
were not conquered. 

12. At the period of A. D. 800, it will be seen that the fhree 
principal empires were those of the Saracens and the Franks^ 
and the Eastern or Greek Empire ; that the Western Empire 
of the Romans had been, for upwards of three centuries, ex 
tinct ; and that the kingdom of the Lombards had been recendj 
terminated ; that England was under the government of the 
Saxon Heptarchy ; that Wales, Scotland, and Ireland were in- 
dependent, and the northern kingdoms not yet farmed ; that 
the temporal dominion of the Pope had commenced ; that the 
Saracens were in possession of the greater part of Spain, the 



CHART OF HISTORY "^ 

whole of Arabia and Persia, a great part of the Eastern of 
G-reek Empire, all Egypt, and Barhary. 

13. At the period of A. D. 1300, it appears that the three 
kingdoms of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark were separate and 
independent ; that a large part of the country, which now forms 
the Russian Empire, was in the possession of the Moguls ,■ that 
Poland was an independent kingdom, but that Lit/mania was 
separate ; that England was in possession of Wales and Ire- 
land, but not of Scotland ; that Bohemia and Hungary were 
independent; that a considerable portion of France belonged 
to England ; that Lorraine, Alsace, and Burgundy were in- 
dependent of France ; that Italy and Spain comprised various 
states, the latter being partly in possession of the Moors ; that 
Portugal had become an independent kingdom ; that the East- 
ern Empire was still in existence ; that the Moguls were in 
possession of Persia, a part of the Eastern or Greek Empire 
('modern Turkey), and China, as well as a part of Russia ; that 
the kingdom of Jerusalem had fallen into the possession of the 
Mamelukes; and that the Mamelukes also possessed Egypt. 

14. At the period of 1800, it appears that Denmark was in 
possession of Nortvay, which was soon after annexed to Swe- 
den ; that the kingdom of Poland had been dismembered be- 
tween Russia, Austria, and Prussia, all of which had now 
become important sovereignties ; that Holland, the Netherlands, 
and a great part of Italy, had been recently annexed to Frani^ 
but were soon after again separated from it ; that Naples flW 
become an independent kingdom ; that the Turks were in pos- 
session of a great part of tiie countries most celebrated i-^ an- 
cient history ; that the Wahabees had got possession of a great 
part of Arabia, and the English of Hindostan ; that the Eng- 
lish possessed Canada ; that the United States had become in^ 
dependent of England ; that the Spanish Provinces in America 
belonged still to Spain, and Brazil to Portugal, but that soon 
afterwards they all became independent. 

15. The figures on the left hand of the American States de- 
note the time of the conquest or settlement of each ; those on 
the right hand, the time when each became independent. Thua 
it appears, that Virgi7iia was settled by the English in 1607, 
and New England in 1620 ; that the United States becatne in- 
dependent in 1776 ; that Mexico was conquered by the Span- 
iards in 1521, and became independent in 1821. 

16. The four great empires of antiquity, as may be seen by 
the Chart, were the Assyrian or Babylonian, the Persian, the 
Macedonian, and the Roman, 

7. The Assyrian or Babylonian Empire was the mos*. an- 
29* 



342 CHART Of HISTORY. 

cieni, and Avas succeeded, in 536, by the Persian Empire, 
which was swallowed up, 330 B. C, by the Macedonian Em 
fire. This latter empire, which, in its extensive form, was of 
short duration, was dissolved 301 B. C. 

18. The Roman Empire was much the most powerful em- 
pire of antiquity, and from about half a century before Christ, 
to the latter part of the 5th century after Christ, when the 
Western Empire was conquered by the Heruli, embraced the 
greater part of the then known world. 

19. The Heruli were supplanted by the Ostrogoths, that is, 
Eastern Goths , the latter by the Greeks , and these by the 
Lo7nbards, who retained possession of Italy till 774, when they 
were conquered by the Franks, whose empire, during several 
centuries, was the most formidable in Europe. In 843, it was 
divided into three monarchies, France, Germany, and Italy. 

20. After the fall of the Western Empire of the Romans, 
the Franks, Goths, Vandals, Hans, Lombards, and other bar- 
barous nations, obtained possession of the principal part of 
Europe. 

21. The empire of the Saracens commenced before the 
middle of the 7th century, and continued through that and the 
8th and the 9th centuries, flourishing and powerful ; but was at 
length broken into various parts, and, in 1258, the Caliphate of 
Baadad terminated. 

^Hl. The empire of the Moguls was widely extended, in the 
early part of the 13th century, under the mighty conqueror 
Genghis-Khan ; and, in the latter part of the 14th century, 
Ti7nur Bek, or Tamerlane, a Tartar, ran a similar career of 
conquest. 

23. By the Chart, it appears that, before the Christian era, 
England was inhabited by the Britons, who were conquered 
by the Romans in the first century after Christ, and continued 
subject till 410 ; that the Saxon Heptarchy was commenced in 
455, completed in 585, and continued till 827, when England 
became one kingdom, under Saxon monarchs ; that the Danes 
were possessed of the kingdom from 1013 to 1041 ; that the 
Saxons then regained possession, and held it till 1066, when 
they were conquered by the Normans, under William the Con- 
queror ; that Ireland was annexed to England in 1 172, Wales 
in 1283, and Scotland in 1603 ; and that England held posses- 
sions in France from 1066 to 1588. 

[The changes of other states and kingdoms, delineated on the Chart 
will be easily understood.] 



CHART OF HISTORY. 34* 



QUESTIONS ON THE CHART OF HISTORY.* 

1. Wliat are some of the states and empires that flourished from the 
Dduge to 800 B. C. ? 2. How long before Christ was the Deluge ? 

3. When was Babel built f 

4. From what period does Babylon date? 5. Egypt? 6. Si<;yon, in 
Greece ? 7. "What other cities in Greece were founded before 1400 B. C. ? 
8. What is the date of the Arqonautk Expedition ? 

9. What is the period of Lyciirgus? 10. Wlien did the kingdom of 
Troi/ end 1 11. WTiat is the date of the Calling of Abraham ? 

12. When were the Israelites in Egypt? 13. Wlien did they enter 
Canaan ? 14'. When were tliey first governed by a king ? 

15. Wlien was the kingdom divided into the Ten Tribes of Israel and 
Jiidah ? 

16. Wlien was Israel incorporated with the Assyrian Empire? 

17. WHien was Judah added to the Babylonian Empire? 

18. Wlien was Pka:iiicia annexed to the Babylonian Empire? 

19. When did the Sa6(/?ow2an J?7n/3?Ve end ? 20. Wliat empire succeeded 
if? 21. When did the Persian Empire begin and end"? 

22. By what empire was it succeeded ? 23. Wlien was Egypt conquered 
by the Persians ? 24. When by the Macedonians ? 

25. When were Athens, Sparta, Thebes, &c., annexed to the Macedonian 
Empire ? 26. When was the Macedonian Empire dissolved ? 

27. When was the kingdom of Macedonia annexed to the Roman Em- 
pire? 28. WTien did the Ptolemies govern Egypt? 

29. When did the Seleiicidce govern Syria? 30. When did the Ptolemiet 
govern Judea? 31. When the J/acca6ee5 ? 

32. What is the date of the foundation of Rome ? 

33. "What is the date of the commencement of the Republic ? ^ 

34. What were some of the nations first conquered by the RomansJ^^fc 

35. When were the Cisalpine Gauls conquered? 36. Macedonia ?^9r 
Gh'eece or the Achcean League ? 38. The Carthaginians ? 39. The Gauls f 
40. The Helvetii ? 41. Syria? 42. Judea? 43.' Egypt? 44. The Britons t 

45. During what centuries was the Roman Empire most extensive ? 

46. When did the Roman dominion over the Britons end 1 

47. When did the Suevi obtain possession of Spain ? 

48. When did the Heruli conquer Italy 1 

49. When did the empire of the Franks begin ? 

50. During what centuries was it most extensive ? 

51. When did the kingdom of the Lombards in Italy begin and end? 

52. In what century did the Saracen Empire commence ? 

53. In what three centuries was it most flourishing ? 

■54 What are the modern names of the countries which it embraced 1 

55 When did the Caliphate of Bagdad terminate ? 

56 When did the Greek Empire of Nice terminate ? 

57. In what century was the Eastern or Greek Empire governed by 
French Emperors ? 58. Wlien did the Eastern or Greek Empire end ? 
59. By whom was it conquered ? 

« Modern Part. 

1. In what centuries was the empire of the Moguls most flourishing ? 

2. When were the Tartars in possession of Persia, &c. ? 



♦ By the Chart, it appears that Babylon yfas founded 2227 B. C. ■ Sifyon, 808» & C 
Argos, 1856 B. C, &.c. 



844 CHART OF HISTORY. 

3. Who anciently inhabited Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Russia ' 

4. When were Sweden, Norway, and Deuniai-k all united together 1 

5. With what country was Norway connected from 1448 to 1814 1 

6. In what centuries did the Moguls or Tartars possess a part of Russia 

7. Wl^en was Poland divided between Russia, Austria, and Prussia ? 

8. Who were the ancient inhabitants of England ? 

9. In what centuries were the Romans in possession of Britaia ? 

10. In what centuries did the Saxon Heptarchy exist ? 

11. When did the Saxon Heptarchy end, and the kingdom under th« 
Saxon monarclis begin 1 12. When did the Danes obtain possession of 
England ^ 13. Wlien the Normans ? 

14. When was Ireland added to England ■? 15. Wales'? 16. Scotland? 

17. In what centuries did England hold possessions in France 1 

18. "When was Bohemia annexed to the House of Austria 1 19. When 
ilangary 1 

20. When was the empire of the Pranks divided into the three save 
reignties of Gei-many, Prance, and Italy 1 

21. When did the empire of Germany end ? 

22. When did the republic of Holland begin and end ? 

23. Wliat nation held possessions in Prance from 1066 to 15.58? 

24. What countries were annexed to Prance a little before 1800 ? 

25. Wlien did the republic of Smtzerland commence 1 

26. In what centuries did Naples belong to Spain 1 

27. When did Naples become independent? 

28. When did the dominion of the Moors it Spain cease ? 

29. How many centuries has S]jain been unted in one Idngdom ? 

30. AVlien did the kingdom of Portugal con.mence 1 

31. During a part of what centtiries was it imited with Spain ? 

32. When did the empire of the Turks com nence ? 

33. How many centuries have their dominioas been as extensive as at 

^f% Wlien did the Sophis or Shahs get the posi ^ssion of all Persia ? 

.35. What different people have been in possesion of Persia since the 
do"wnfall of the ancient Persian Emphe ? 

36. When did the dominion of the Wahahees in Arabia commence 1 

37. When did the English dominion in India begin ? 

38. Wlien did the Mantchew Tartars gain possession of China? 

39. What different nations have possessed Egypt since 800 B. C. 1 

40. When did the Turks get possession of Egypt ? 

41 . "Wliat nation first settled Canada ? 

42. Wlien did the English gain possession of Canada, ? 

43. When and by whom was Virginia settled? 44. New"itork? 45. 
New Enojland ? 46. Pennsylvania ? 

47. "\Vlien did the United States become indejjendent ? 

48. Which country on the continent of America was first settled by 
Europeans ? 49. When was Mexico conquered by the Spaniards ? 

5i). What other countries were soon after colonized by the Spaniards ! 

5\. By whom was Brazil colonized ? 

52. Which of the countries in South America first became indepenient ? 

53. Wliat others soon followed ? 

54 How long did Spain possess Mexico ? 



CHRONOLOGY. 



Chronology is a science which treats of the natural and 
anificial divisions of time ; and it refers to certain points or 
eras the various events recorded in history. 

Various eras have been adopted in different ages, and by 
different nations, in the computation of time, and in adjusting 
the dates of events recorded in histoiy. Some of the most 
hnportant only of these eras can be hei'e mentioned. 

1. The Olympiads, The Greeks computed their time by 
the era of the Olympiads, which date from the year 776 B. C, 
being the year in which Corcebus was successful at the Olym- 
pic games. This era differed from all others, in being reck- 
oned by periods of four years instead of single years. Each 
period of four years was called an Olympiad, and, in marking 
a date, the year and the Olympiad were both mentioned. 

2. The Foundation of Rome. The Romans reckoned 
their time from the date assigned for the founding of Rome, 
corresponding to the year 753 B. C. This era is designated 
by the letters A. U. C, or ab urbe conditd, " from the building 
of the city." 

3. The Christian Era. The Christian era, which is used 
by Christian nations, is reckoned from the birth of Chiist, 
which, according to the Hebrew text of the Old Testan^ent, 
took place A. M. (in the year of the world) 4004; according 
t; tb3 Samaritan text, A. M. 4700 ; and, according to the Se[>- 
tuagmt, A. M. 5872. The computation according to the He- 
brew text is followed in this work ; and it is generally adopted 
in English literature. The birth of Christ is supposed to have 
taken place about four years earlier than the perjod assigned 
to it in the vulgar era. 

The computation by the Christian era first began to be used 
m the 6th century. The Roman or Julian year was followed 
consisting of 365 days and 6 hours, which exceeded the true 
time of the solar year bv a little more ihan 11 minutes. This 



346 CHRONOLOGY. 

erroneous computation had, in the year 1582, occasioned a dp- 
viatioE of 10 days from the true time ; and in that year (1582) 
Pope Gregory introduced a reform into the calendar, by taking 
10 days from the month of October. The calendar thus re- 
formed (called New Style) was immediately introduced into all 
Catholic countries. The reckoning according to the Julian 
year (called Old Style) continued to be used in England till 
the year 1752, when 11 days were omitted in September, the 
day aftftf the 2d being accounted the 14th. — The Greeks and 
Russians still use the OIC Style. 

4. The Era of the Hegira. The era of the Hegira, which 
dates from the flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina, ;s 
used by Mahometan nations, and corresponds to the 16th cf 
July, A. D. 622. 

5. The American Era. The era most used in this country, 
next to the Christian era, is that of the Declaration of the In- 
dependence of the United States, which took place on the 4lh 
of July, 1776. 

Comparison of Different Eras. 

Year. 

r 3228 of the Creation of the World 
The Era of the Olympiads J 23 before the Foundation of 

corresponds to | 776 before Christ. [Rome. 

(^1398 before the Hegira. 

r 3251 of the Creation of the World. 
The Foundation of Rome J 4 of the 6th Olympiad. 

corresponds to | 753 before Christ. 

(^ 1375 before the Hegira. 

{4004 of the Creation of the WrrlA 
1 of the 195th Olympiad. 
753 of the Foundation of Rome 
622 before the Hegira. 

r 4626 of the Creation of the World 
rhe Hegira corresponds J 3 of the 348th Olympiad. 

tc I l^'^^ of the Foundation of Rome 

I 622 of the Christian Era. 



CHRONOLOGY. 347 



Chronological Table. 

In the following table the most important epochs are given, 
together with a system of Artificial Memory^ to facilitate the 
recollecting of dates. This system is derived chiefly from 
Dr. Grey's Memoria Tec/mica. 

In order to facilitate remembering dates, a word is formed 
of the name recorded, or of the first syllables of it, together 
with one or more syllables added to it, and made up o^ numeral 
letters. For this purpose, a vowel and a consonant are as- 
signed to each digit, and a. or h denote 1 ; e or </ 2 ; i or i 3 ; 
orf'i ; and so on, in the following series : — 



a 


e 


I 





u 


au 


01 


00 


1 


2 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


b 


d 


t 


/ 


V 


s 


P 


k 



These letters may be easily remembered by considering 
that the first five vowels represent 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; that the 
diphthong au, which is composed of a 1 and u 5, denotes 6 ; 
that oi, for the same reason, denotes 7, oo 8, and oii 9. The 
diphthong ai is put for the cipher 0, but wilhnut any similar 
reason. 

The first consonant, b, denotes 1 ; d, the first letter of duo^ 
the Latin for two, denotes 2 ; t, the initial of the word three, 
is put for 3 ; f, for the same reason, for 4 ; v ( V being the 
Roman numeral for five) denotes 5 ; s, the initial of six, is put 
for 6 ; p, from sejAem, the Latin' for seven, denotes 7 ; k, from 
the Greek okto, eight, is put for 8 ; n, the initial of the word 
nine, denotes 9 ; and z, the final letter, is put for 0. 

Having perfectly learned the foregoing series, the student 
may proceed to exercise himself in the formation and resohi' 
rion of dates, in the following manner : — 

10 



189 


342 


390 


659 


1492 


1776 


1830 


boon 


tod 


torn 


sun 


afne 


apois 


bvdz 



The system nmy be extended at pleasure ; and, by the for* 
m.ation of words in the manner described, it will be easy to fit 
in the mind the time of the death of illustrious men, the com- 
mancement of _the reigns of kings, and other events, of which 
it is desirable to remember the date. It will be easy to re- 
member whether the event took place hefore or after Christ. — 
Besides the series of letters already explained, g may denote a 
huidred and th a thousand. 



348 CHRONOLOGY. 



Table. 

1004 Creation of the world Cre- faizo 

ZU8 Delvge TieVetok 

2247 Babd built ; mankind dispersed Babel-eJop 

2188 The kingdom of Egyj)t commences Egypt-e6ooA 

1921 Calling of jliratom Abrah-aried 

1656 Athens founded by Cecropg kVnavus 

1493 CadOTZis brings letters into Greece and builds TheDes . . . . Cadmus-iow* 

1491 Israelites brought out of Egypt by Moses Israel-iomc 

1263 Argonautic expedition Argonaut-6esi 

11S4 Troy taken and burnt by the Greeks Troy-bako 

1075 Saul king of Israel Saul-ozpM 

1012 The Temple of Solomon founded Templ-azad 

884 Lycurgus reforms the laws of Lacedaemon Lycurg-ooAo 

776 The first Olyinpiad begins Olym-pois 

753 Rome founded by Romulus Rom-put 

536 Cyrus founds the Persian empire Cyru-TOS 

509 Tarquin expelled from Rome y , . . Tarquin-raife 

490 Battle of Marathon ^, -r. .... Marath-ons 

400 Socrates put to deatn Socrat-ozai 

324 Alexander the Great dies at Babylon Alexand-ido 

312 The era of the Seleucidce Seleucid-t6e 

146 Greece reduced to a Roman proT ince Greece-6os 

31 Battle of Acifmwj; end of Roman commonwealth Actium-ia 

Birth of Christ ; 4 years before the vulgar era. 

70 Jerusalem taken and destroyed . JeriBal-oia 

98 Trajan emperor of Rome Trajan-woo 

306 Constantine emperor of Rome Constan-tota 

476 End of the Western Roman empire Rom-/-ozs 

622 Era of the Hegira, or Flight of Mahomet Hegira-sed 

800 Charlemagne emperor of the West Charlemag-aosai 

827 The kingdom of England begins under Egbert England-Aep 

1066 TViiYzam the Conqueror king of England WiU-iawaw 

1096 First Crusade to the Holy I/and Crusad-azows 

1227 Genghis-khati's conquests In Asia .... ...... Genghis-ftedoi 

1258 End of the Caliphate or Saracen empire Caliphat-aduA 

• 1340 Gunpowder invented at Cologne, by Scliwartz Gunpowder-atoz 

1370 Wickliffe propagates his doctrines in England Wickliff-ofojj 

1398 Timur Bek or Tamerlaaze's conquests Txvmxc-bink 

liiO The art of Printing invented . "; , Print-o/oj 

1453 Eastern Empire ends ; Turks take Constantinople .~ .... Turks-a/ut 

li92 A»t€nca discovered by Columbus America7io;jc 

;S17 The Reformation in Germany begun by Luther Reform avap 

1603 Union of England and Scotland under James I. , , . . Jam-asaif 

1620 Plymouth, Mass., settled by the Puritans Plyniouth-Aa«M 

i688 Revolution in England , . RevolutoscoA; 

j776 Independence of the United States declared , Independena/WM 

789 Firat French Revolution Revolut-apoow 

1 804 Bonaparte crowned emperor of France , . Bonapart-fiooto 

1815 Battle of Waterloo Waterl-oAftu 

1843 France declared a republic Republo^t 



SACRED HISTORY. 



The historical parts of the Bible treat chiefly of the historj of tht 
hmelites or Jews. The other principal source of infoi-ination, in a<lduioi; 
to the Scriptures, relating to the ancient history of the Israelites, is to b* 
found in tlie ^^ritings of Joseplms, a Jewish historian, who lived in the time 
of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Eomans. The OKI Tcstainent his- 
tory of the Israelites ends with the book of Nehemiah, about 440 years 
B. C. ; and, from this time to the birth of Chiist, Joseplms is the principal 
au'liority for Jewish histoiy. 

The Israelites were descended from Abraham, who was called, according 
to the common computation, 427 years after the Delufic, and 1921 B. C, 
to separate himself "from his kindred and his father's house" [see 
Genesis xii.], and who received a promise that the Messiah should be of 
his posterity. 

They were called Hebreivs, as is commonly supposed, from Ebei- or 
Heber, an ancestor of Abraham ; Israelites, fi-om Jacob, who was surnamed 
Israel ; and Jeivs, from Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, the head 
or patriarch of the piincipal of the Twelve Tribes. 

Jacob, with his sons and their fimiilies, consisting of 70 persons, mi- 
grated from Canaan to Eg}'pt, 1706 B. C, and their posterity were, in 
that country, reduced to slaveiy. After a residence, according to Calmet, 
of 215 years, they were liberated from Egyptian bondage by Moses, the 
great Hebrew Lawgiver. 

After wandering 40 years in the wilderness, they took possession of 
Canaan, under the direction of Joshua. 

From the entrance into Canaan to the commencement of the reign of 
Saul, a period of 356 years, they were governed by a succession of Judges 
— A view of the succession of the Kings of Israel and Judah, during tlie 
continuance of the monarchies, is given in the Tables I. and II. on tha 
following pages. 

The most flourishing period of the Israelitish monarchy was during th«i 
reigns of David and Solomon. 

The sceptre of Judah descended regularly, except during the usur- 
pation of Athaliah, from father to son, in the family of David, till the 
death of Josiah, tlu-ee of whose sons were, for a short time, raised to the 
throne. 

During nearly all the period of the Old Testament history of the 
Is-raelites, the nation manifested a strong tendency to forsake the worship 
of the ti-ue God, and to fall into idolatry. Many of the kings of Judah, 
and all the kings of the Ten Tribes, were promoters of idolatrous worship. 

The history of the Ten Tribes, subsequent to their captivity by Slial- 
maneser, is buried in utter ohsciu-ity. The Jews, or subjects of the king 
dora of Judah, after the 70 years' Babylonish captivity, retiu-ned, 5.^6 B. C^ 
by permission of Cjjrus, under Zerubbabel their governor, and rebuilt Jeru- 
mlem and the Temple. 

After this period, they were subject successively to the Persians, tha 
Ptolemies of Egypt, the Syrians, and "the Maccabees, till 63 B. C, when they 
were subjected to the Romans by Pompey. A. D. 70, Jerusalem was taken 
and destroyed by the Eomans, under Titus, and, since that event, the Jew« 
nave been dispersed in all parts of the worli. 



350 



SACRED HISTORY. 



B.C. 
HOC 

95 



55 



I Chronological Table of Kingdoms of Israel and Jpdah. 



Kings. 



Saul 



Uavid 



14 



Solomon 



1000 

75 
58 
55 

14 

900 

89 
85 
84 
78 
39 

10 

800 

58 
42 
26 

700 

98 

43 

41 
9 
9 

600 

98 
98 



Rehoboam 
Abijah 

Asa 

Jehoshaphat 



Jehoram 
Ahaziah 
(Athaliah) 
Joash (or 
Amaziah 

Uzziaih 



Jotham 

Ahaz 

Hezekiab 



Kingdom of Israel: 3 Kings: 120 Years. 



40 



40 



25 



The son of Kish, the first king of Is 
rael ; is engaged in war with the 
Philistines, Amalekites, &c. ; perse- 
cutes David, who is anointed by 
Samuel in his stead -, Saul and Jona- 
than slain by the Philistines. 

The son of Jesse, of the tribe oiJudah ; 
is first proclaimed king of Judah, af- 
terwards of all Israel ; makes Jeru- 
salem the seat of his kingdom ; sub- 
dues the Philistines, Edomites, Ama- 
lekites, Moabites, &c. 

Celebrated for wisdom ; has a pacific, 
prosperous reign ; builds the Temple. 

After the death of Solomon, ten Tribes 
revolt from his son Rehoboam, and 
two separate kingdoms are formed, 
Judah and Israel. 

Kingdom of Judah : 19 Kings : 387 Years 



Prophets. 



Samuel 



Nathan 
Gad 



Revolt of the Ten Tribes 

Gains a great victory over Jeroboam. 

A religious king ; suppresses idola- 
try, has a prosperous reign 

A religious king ; a prosperous reign ; 
joins Ahab 'n a war again t Syr'" 



An idolater ; slays his six brothers. 
1 lis slain by Jehu. 
6 [Usurps ; slays all the royal family. 
40 .lehoash) defeated by the Syrians. 
29 Defeats the Edomites ; is defeated 
by Joash ; is slain in a conspiracy. 
Defeats the Philistines and Arabians ; 
is smitten with leprosy. 



Ahijah 



Iddo 

Shemaiah 

Azuriah 

Micaiali 
Elijah 



Manasseh 

Amon 
Josiah 
Jehoahaz (or 
Jehoiakim (or 



Jehoiachin (or 
Zedekiah 



Elisha 

Jehoiada 
Zachariah 

Jonah 
Amos 



Has a prosperous reign 
Defeated by Pekah with great loss. 
An excellent king ; has a prosperous 
reign. — Sennacherib's repulse 



Oded 
Hosea 

Micah 
Nahum 



An impious king ; is carried by Esar- Isaiah 
haddon in chains to Babylon. Joel 

An idolati-ous king ; is murdered. 
An excellentkmg; great reform ; slain. Zcphaniah 
Shallum) ; carried captive into Eg}T)t. Habakkuk 
Eliakim); is carried in chains to' 
Babylon 



Jeconiah) ; is carried to Babylon. 

The king and the nation carried cap- 
tive to Babylon. The city and tem- 
ple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, 
588 B. C. 

The captivity lasted 70 vears,from 606 
B. C. to 1st vearof Cvrus, 536 B. C. 



Obadiah 

Jeremiah 

Ezekiel 

Daniel 

Haggai 

Zechariah 



Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, lived after the rebuilding of the Templai 
The political condition of the Jews from the time of Zerubbabel, the first eovemor afte« 
the ratum from captivity, was very variable. Jerusalem was liken by a Roman annr 
onder Pj-npey, 63 B. C., and Judea was afterwards reduced to a tloman province. 



SACRED HISTORY, 



35. 



Chronological Table op the Kingdom of Israel, ok the 
Ten Tribes: — 19 Kings: — 254 Years. 



B. C. 

1000 



Kinga. 



75 Jeroboam I. 



900 



800 



84 



26 



39 



Nadab 
Baasha 

Elah 
Zimri 

Omri 
Ahab 



Ahaziah 
Jehoram 

Jehu 



Tehoahaz 
Joash 

Jeroboam H, 



Zechariah 

Shallum 

Menahem 

Pekaiah 

Pekah 



Hoshea 



21 



1 
24 



28 



41 



10 

2 

20 



18 



Son of Nehat, becomes king of the Ten Tribes, 
resides -first at Shechem, afterwards at Tir- 
zah ; institutes the worship of go/den calves 
one at Bethel and another at Dan, and se- 
duces the people to idolatry ; overcome bj 
Abijah, and 500,000 Israelites slain. 

Son of Jeroboam ; slain by Baasha. 

Usurps the throne, and desti-oys all the fam 
ily of Jeroboam ; at war with Asa. 

Son of Baasha ; is slain by Zimri. 

Usurps the throne; destroys the race of Baasha; 
after a reign of 7 days is overcome by Omri. 

Founds Samaria, and makes it the capital. 

Son of Omri ; notorious for impiety, as well as 
his queen Jezebel ; seizes the vineyard of iVa- 
both ; wars against Ramoth Gilead ; is slain. 



Son of Ahab; wounded by a fall, and dies. 

Samitria besieged by Benhadad, king of Sy- 
ria ; the inhabitants in great distress. 

Destroys Jezebel and all the family of Ahab, 
and the priests of Baal, but maintains the 
worship of Jeroboam's golden calves. 

Oppressed by Hazael, king of Syria. 

Defeats Benhadad II., king of Syria; also 
Amaziah ; takes Jerusalem. 

A warlike sovereign ; has a pj^osperous reign. 



After this reign the kingdom hastens to its 
downfall ; and its subsequent history is re- 
plete with treason, disorder, and misrule. 

An Interregnum of 11 years. 

Is slain by Shallum, who usurps the throne. 

After a reign of 1 month is killed by Menahem. 

Becomes tributaiy to Pid, king of Assyria. 

Is murdered by Pekah, one of his captains. 

Unites with Eezin, king of Syria, and besieg 
es Jerusalem: defeats Ahaz, slays 120,000 
men, and takes 200,000 ; is overthrown by 
Tiglathpileser, who carries a part of the 
Israelites to Syria : slain by Hoshea. 

Becomes tributary to Shalmaneser, king of 
Assyria, but applies to So, king of Egypt, 
and revolts. Shalmaneser besieges, takes, 
and demolishes Samaria, carries the Israel- 
ites captive into Assyria and Media, and 
puts an end to the kingdom, B. C. 721. 



The subaerjuent history of the Ten Tribes is buried in obscurity. The country wal 
afterwards repeopled by colonies from Assyria, whose descendants adopted the Law of 
Mnses as contained in the Pentateuch, which they regarded as tlie only inspired booltj 
and they were called Samurilaris. from the chief city of the country. The Samaritaru 
built a temple on Mcunt GeHzim. Tl\ey were always at variance with the Jew«, by 
whom the*' were desjiisa and hated as heretics. 



352 



ERAS m MODERN HISTORY. 



A.D. 

800 

' 9th 

900 

lOth 

1000 

nth 



27 

12 
64 
66 
•96 

1100^ 



Eras in Modern History. 



New Empire of the West under Charlemagne formed. 
The Kingdom of Eng land begins. The Saxon Heptarchy ends . 
The Normans under RoUo take possession of Nonnandy. 
Othothe Great, emperor of Gennany, conquers Italy. 



William the Conqueror (battle of Hastings) conquers England. 
EIRST CR USADE to the Holy Land : Peter the Hermit. 
Second Crusade, excited Dy St. Bernard. 
mh 88 Third Crusade, under Richard I. of England and PhiUp An- 

gustu s of Erance. 

1200 "2 Fourth Crusade, under Baldwin, who takes Constantinople, 

l2\Magna Charta signed by King John of England. 
IZth 27 Genghis-Khan, emperor of the Moguls, overruns the Saracen 
SsJEnd of the Caliphate of Bagdad. [empire. 

lO\L ast Crusade, under St. Louis IX. of Erance. 

130^ l^' Robert Bruce defeats Edward 11. of England at BannocJcburn. 
4Q\Edward IH. of England gains the battle of Cressy. 
47 Great Plague in Europe ; said to cany Off i of the inhabitants. 
Timur Beh or Tamerlane commences his reign and conquests. 



1400 



I5th 



1500 



\Gth 



1600 



vrth 



TURKS take Constantinople ; end of the Eastern Roman Empire. 
The York and Lancaster War begins in England ; lasts 30 years 
Arragon and Castile united, forming the kingdom of Spain. 
The Cape of Good Hope discovered by Bartholomew 'Diaz. 
AMERICA discovered by Columbus. 
Vasco de Gama reaches India by way of the Cape of Good Hope. 



Reformation by iw^Aer. — 1519. CharlesY. emp. of Germany 

Mexico conquered by Cortes. 

The Globe first circumnavigated by Magellan's squadron: by 

Drahem 1580. 
The Civil Wars in France begin, conducted by Conde and Guise. 
The Republic of Holland begins by the union of Utrecht. 



58 
53 
55 
79 
86 
92 
97 

11 
21 
22 

60 

79 ....„.,,„.... -^ „ 

82 j The Calendar reformed by Pope Gregory XIII. 

~3 1 Union of the cro-wns of England and Scotland. 
7 First English settlement in America, at Jamestown, Virginia. 

12 [First English establishment in Hindostan. 

48 Peace of Westphalia or Munster: end of the 30 Years' War. 

A'd\ Charles I. of England beheaded : the Commonioealth begins. 

88 ' Revolution in England ; abdication of James II. 

^"^^^i 13 >i'eace of Utrecht between France and the Allies. 

\a8' Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle ; end of the war of the Austrian Sue- 
J52jZVe?^5'«ye introduced into England. [cession 

63 Peace of Paris ; Canada ceded by France to England 

76 The INDEPENDENCE of the United States declared. 
'89:The FRENCH RE VOLUTION ; — completed in 1792- 93. 
1800 = =~" 



l9/% 



'ilPeaceo/'Am/ens, between England, France, Spain, and HcUand 
4INAPOLEON BONAPARTE emperor of Erance. 
elEnd of the German Empire. 

12: War between the U. States and England begins: ends in 1814, 

lolThe Battle of WATERLOO; the empire of Bonaparte over- 
thro-ivn ; Congress of European sovereigns at Vienna. 

29 'Peoce of Adrianople between Russia and Turkey. 

30'iVew Revolution in France ; Charles X. dethi-oned. 

82 i The Reform Bill passes the British Parliament. 



Act for the abolition of Slavery in the British Colonies. 
New Revolution in France: Louis Philippe dethroned. 
The kingdom of Italy established. — Victor Emanuel king. 



TABLE OF EN^'TENTIONS. 



A. D, 

900 

lOt/i 

1000 
1100 

12th 

1200 

[3th 

1300 



Chronological Table of Inventions. 



Uth 



1400 



I5th 



1500 



I6th 



1600 



mh 



1700 



ISth 



1800 



19«A. 



The Figures of Arithmetic brought into Europe by the Saracens 
Clocks with toothed wheels invented in France by Gerbert. 



Paper made of cotton rags in use. ■'- 
Surnames begin to be used by the nobility. 



The Pandects of Roman Laiu discovered at Amalfi. 
The first regular Bank at Venice. •^•" 



Linen first made in England. ■ — ~ 

Glass Mirrors and Muf/nifying- Glasses invented by R. Bacon, 
to 1.3 11 . Spectacles invented by Bacon, SaIvinus,Ai-matus & Spina 
Tallow Candles begin to be used. 



Chimneys and Glass Windows begin to be used in private houses. 

The Mariner's Compass improved by Flavio Gioia, 

to 40. GUNPOWDER invented at Cologne by Swartz. 

Cannon used at the siege of Algeziras : Muskets in use in 1370. 

Clocks in use : first made in England in 1568. 

Playing- Cards in vented : first Paper-Mill in Germany. 



Paintinq in oil-colors invented at Bruges by Van Eyck 
Art of "PRINTING invented by Coster, Guttenberg, &c. 
Post-Offices established in France : in England in 1581.—^ 
Printing introduced into England by William Caxtonr^— 
Watches made at Nuremberg: in use in England in 1597:; — 
Maps and Cltarts brought into En gland b y Barthol. Columbus 



The Spinninq- Whed invented at Bn.ms^\'ick by Jurgen. 

The trae SOLAR SYSTEM revived by Copernicus. 

Needles first made in England. 

Fu-st treatise on Decimal Arithmetic publi^ed at Bruges 

Potatoes introduced into England from America.^, _ 

to 1620. The Telescope, bv Porta, Jansen, Drebell, and Galileo. 



The Thermometer invented by Sanctorius, Drebell, and Galileo. 

Logarithms invented in Scotland by Napier. 

The Circulation of the Blood discovered by Harvey. 

The first Gazette ov Newspaper at Venice : in England in 1665 

Coffee first brought into England : Tea in 1666. 

The Barometer invented by Torricelli and Pascal. 

The Air-Pump invented at Magdeburg by Guericke. 

The Steum-Engine invented: improved by Watt in 1768. 

Saturn's Ring discovered by Huyghcns. 

The Newtonian Philosophy published in England. 



Inoculation introduced into England fi-om Turkey. 

Stereotype Printing invented bv Ged ; introduced hj Didot, 1799. 

The identity of Lightning and 'Electricity ascertained by Franklin 

The Spinning-Jenny invented by Arkwi-ight. 

The planet Uranus or Herschel discovered by Herschel. 

The Cotton- Gin invented bv ^Vliitney. 

VACCINATION discovered and introduced by Dr. Jenner 

Galvanism discovered by Galvani. 

Lithography invented at Munich by Sennefelder. 



The first STEAMBOAT on the Hudson. 

The Safety-Lamp invented by Sir Humphrey Davy 

The Liverpool and Manchester Railroad opened; the lirst on 

which locomotive steam-carriages were used. 
The Great Western, Steamship, makes her first voyage, cross 

ing the Atlantic, from Bristol, England, to New York. 
The Caloric Engine invented by Ericsson. 



30* 



QUESTIONS. 



N. R. Tlie numbzrs prefixed to the foUowinj Questions correspond to the prtrasraphs 
iatheVjlume ; so that the student will readily see where to seek for every answer. It 
■will be perceived mat, in many instances, the answers to three or four questions are to 
be found in one paragrapli. 



USES OF HISTORY. 

1 . Wliat is history ■? Wliat is said of the study of it ? 

2. What is said of history, compared with novels and romances ? 

3 On what is the general taste for history founded ■? What view does 
it afford of human nature ? 

4. What is a higher use of history ? What has it been styled 1 Wliat 
does it add to our own experience ■? 

5. With what does it make us acquainted ? From what does it serve to 
ft-ee the mind 1 

6. To what class of persons is history indispensable ? Of what do we 
gain a knowledge by history 1 

7. What fiwther does history show and teach us ? 

8. What influence has it on the character? How does it make virtue 
appear, — and vice 1 What does the reader of history learn to connect 
with true glory ? 

9 What does history teach us has been often done under the direction 
irf Providence ? 

10. Why does a knowledge of history tend to render us contented with 
•^ur condition in life ■? 



THE SOURCES OF HISTORY. 

1 . What is the first source of history ? Wlio derived his hir>tory chiefly 
f'*om this source 1 

2. What is the second sortrce ? Wliat instances are mentioned ? 

a. What is the third source ? 4. The fourth 1 5. The lifth ? 6. The 
sixth 1 To what century do the most ancient coins that have been found 
Sdong? 

7. Wiat is the seventh source of history 1 What is the most celebrated 
rollcction of marble- of this kind ? 

8. What is the most important of these inscriptions ? Wnat is said of it ^ 
9 What is said of hieroglyphics, paintings, and sculptares 1 

DIVISIONS OF HISTORY. 

1. How is history divided with respect to time 1 
2- What is Ancient History ? Modern History ? 

3. 'What other eras do somr. historians adopt for the dividing points? 

i. What is a third division ; f histoiy 1 What does this period comprise • 



356 EGYPT —THE rilCENICJANS. 

5. VvTial is said furtlier of the Middle Ages ? 

6. JBy what is Ancient History distinguished 1 

7. By wliat are tlie i^Iidd.le Ages characteiized. 1 By what has the last 
half century been characterized 1 

8. By what is Modern History distinguished 1 

9. riow is histoiy divided with regard to subject 1 

1 J. What IS Sacred History 1 Profane History t Ecclesiastical IHs- 
iorjl Civil History 1 

1 ] . How far back does Sacred History go, and what was the length of 
time from the creation to the Christian era ? 

1 2. What is said, of Geology 1 

13. Who is the earliest profane historian ? When did he wi'ite, and vt 
what nations 1 

14. What is said of the history of the world before the time when ihe 
history of Herodotus begins ? 

15. What is said of our knowledge of the early history of the world ■? 
What is the only source of this information 1 

16. What are some of the most remarlcable events respecting the.earlj 
history of the world recorded in the Bible ? 

17. What are the most important portions of profane history *? 

18. WTiat is said of the history of the Middle or Dark Ages ? 

19. What portions of history are the best known ? 



EGYPT. 

1. Why does Egypt hold a conspicuous place in history 1 What nation 
derived its information chiefly from it f 

2. What is said of the ancient history of Egypt ? 

3. What are some of the works of ancient grandeur? 

4. What is said of the glory of Thebes ? 

5. What city supplanted Thebes ? What is said of the description 
given of Thebes by Strabo and Diodonis 1 

6. How was the place of alphabetic writing supplied ? 

7. What is said of the researches of Champollion and other learned men ' 

8. What is said of the inhabitants of Egypt? 

9. What of the government and the kings ? 

10. What is said of the laws and customs ? 

LL To what was every person subject after his death 1 

12. What is said of the armies and weapons of the Egyptians ? 

13. Who was the first king that is kuown ? What is said of his suc- 
cessors 1 

14. Who was the most distinguished king ? 

15 What other kings are mentioned ? 

16 Who is the next distinguished sovereign ? What is said of him • 

17. Who conquered Egy]Dt, 525 B. C. ? In what manner? 

18. By whom was it wrested from Persia ? What was its situation aftei 
the death of Alexander ? 



THE PHOENICIANS. 

1 What is said of the Phoenicians and their history ? 

2. What are they styled in the Scriptures, and what were their chief 
cities ? 

3. Of what were they the reputed inventors ? 

4. To what places did they send colonies ? By whom did Tyre suffe* 
memorable sieges ? 

\ 



ASSYRIA AND BABYLON. — GREECE. 357 



ASSYRIA AND BABYLON. 

1. What is said of Assyria? Who founded Babylon? What is said 
•f their history ? 

2. Wlmt is commonly supposed respecting Assyria and Babylon ? What 
is the opinion of Dr. Gillies ? 

3. What is said of Ninus and Semiramis ? 

4. How is Ninus represented ? How is Semiramis described ? 

5. What is said of the history of the empire from the time of Ninyas to 
SarJanapalus ? 

6 . What is said of Sai-danapalus ? Who excited a rebellion againsi 
hiai ? 

7 Wliat took place with regard to the empire ? 

8 Who were the four successors of Pul ? 

9 Who put an end to the Assyrian monarchy ? 

10. By whom was Nabopolassar or Nebuchadnezzar succeeded ? 

11. What took place during the reign of Belshazzar ? 

12. What is said of Babylon after the conquest ? What is its present 
state ? 

13. What is said of Nineveh? What has lately been discovered on its 
Bite? 

PERSIA. 

1 . What is said of Persia ? What is the state of its history prior to tha 
reign of Cyrus ? What was it originally called ? Wlio was the founder 
of the great Persian empire ? What countries did it comprise ? 

2. To whom are we indebted for the history of Persia ? What is said 
of the Persian historians ? Whi<'li are entitled to most credit ? 

3. Wliat is said of Cyrus ? Wliat did he perform ? 

4. Wliat ancients have written accounts of Cyrus ? Who have followed 
Xenophon ? What was Xenophon's supposed design ? 

5. What is said of Cambyscs ? Of Smerdis ? Darius ? 

6. Who succeeded Darius ? Wliat is said of him ? To whom did he 
leave the empire ? 

7. Who were the other two principal sovereigns ? 

8. When did Cyrus begin to reign ? Darius Hystaspes 1 Dariuij 
Oodc manns "* 

GREECE. 

Section I. 

Wlmt was the extent of Greece ? How was it bounded ? What ia 
Jt9 general aspect ? 

2. Wliat is said of this countiy ? For what were the inhabitants re- 
nowned ? 

3. What did Greece comprise 1 How did these states differ ? How 
were they united ? 

4. What was the form of government in the early ages t What form 
»fterwards prevailed 1 

"^ Wliat is said of the history of these republics ? Why does their his- 
tory excite interest ? 

6. What were Greece and the inhabitants called by the natives ? What 
do the poets style the Grreeks ? From whom were tlie original inhabitant! 
i jscended ? 

7. Who brought to Greece i^Q Iij'S,' rudiments of civilization ? 



358 GREECE. 



Section II. 



1. Into how many general periods may the history of Greece be distio 
guished ? What is the first "? What the second ? 

2. How many years does the first period comprise ? What is said of it ' 

3. Into how many subdivisions may this period be distinguished '^ 
Wlien does tLs first period begin and end, and what may it be termed ' 
The second 1 Tlie third '? The fourtli ■? 

4. Wliat does the second general division (the period of authentic his 
tory) comprise "? What is said of its history 1 

5. Into how many parts may this period be divided 1 When does the 
first begin and end, and what is said of it 1 The second ? The third 
The ibm-th "i 

Section III. 

1. TMiat does the fabulous age comprise 1 

2 By whom was Si^yon founded? Argos ? Athens? Thebes 1 
Corinth ? INIycense 1 Lacedsemon ? 

3. What are some of the memorable events of this period 1 What else 
does it embrace ? 

4. What was the first great enterprise recorded of the Greeks ? By 
whom was it commanded ? Who were some of the heroes who accompa- 
nied Jason ? 

5. Why were they called Argonauts 1 What was their object ? What 
is said of the fleece 1 

Section IV. 

1. To what has the heroic age been compared 1 What difference is 
mentioned between the Greeks and the Gothic nations 1 

2. On whose authority does the history of the Trojan war rest? What 
is said of the Iliad ? 

3. What is said of Helen ? To what oath did her father bind her 
Buitors ? Who was the favored individual ? 

4. What is said of Paris ? What did he do on visiting Sparta ? 

5. What was the effect of this treachery "^ How many vessels and men 
were conveyed to the Trojan coast? Who was chosen commander-in- 
chief ? Who were some of the other most celebrated princes ? 

6. By whom were the Trojans commanded ? AVhat was the final result 
of the siege ? 

7. When did the return of the Heraclidse take place ? 

8. What is said of Hercules ? How long was it after his banishraeEf 
wheK his descendants returned ? What was the consequence cf it ? 

9. What was the effect of this revolution ? 

Section V. 

1 . What were the two leading states of Greece, and how were they dia 
tingnished ? How were their different characters formed ? 

2. Of what was Sparta the capital ? How was the government ad- 
ministered ? 

3. Wlio was Lycm-gus ? With what duty was he intrusted ? 

4. What did he accomplish ? What senate did he institute ? What did 
he do respecting the two kings ? How did he divide the territory ? 

5. Wliat measure did he take respecting commerce, &c. ? How did tha 
titizens take their food ? 

6. What was the situation of every citizen ? What was the regulation 
respecting infants ? 

7. What was the fact respecting letters ' How were the Spartans dis- 
Unguished ? For what were tliey noted t 



GREECE. 359 

8. What were the young especially taught 1 Wliat further regulationa 
were made respecting them 1 

9. "What were the institutions of Lycurgus adapted to form? Whai 
was considered the great business of life ■? Wliat virtues were cherished, 
and what were sacrificed ? 

10. Wltat is said of the women ? Wliat was tlieir education calculated 
to give them ? What charge did a mother give her son 1 

11. How long did the institutions of Lycurgus continue in force? 
What is said of the power and intiucnce of Sparta ? 

12. What took place in process of time 1 How were changes introduced 1 

Section VI. 

1. What is said of Athens ? For what is it distinguished ? 

2. Who was the livst king of Atlicns f Wliat took place after his death ? 
Wliat is said of the office of the archons ? 

3. By whom was tlie first code of ^vTittcn laws prepared for Athens ? 
What is said of these laws 1 What reason did Draco give for the severitj 
of his punishments ? 

4. Who afterwards framed a new system of laws ? What did Solon 
attempt to do ? Wliat did he say of his laws ? 

.5. In whom did he vest the supreme power ? What was done by this 
assembly ? Of what number did the senate consist ? 

6. What did he encourage ? ^'V^lat fiu'ther is said respecting his laws'? 

7. What cfl'eets did the diiiterent laws of Athens and Sparta produce? 
What were the differences at the two cities ? How were an Athenian and 
a Spartan characterized ? 

8. What ha])])ened liefore the death of Solon ? How long did Pisistratus 
and his sons continue in power ? What is said of his government ? 

9. To whom did Pisistratus transmit the sovereignty? By whom were 
they detlu-oned ? What was their fate ? 

Section VII. 

1. Wliat period i> esteemed the most glorious age of Greece ? What is 
said of the victories of the inhabitants over the Persians ? 

2. What was the state of Persia at this period ? Wliat colonies and 
ccu.ntries were subject to it ? 

3. What gave offence to Darius ? What did he resolve to do ? 

4. What ste]3 iu\ Darius first take ? How were his heralds received ? 

5. How did Darius liegin his hostile attack ? Wliat was the fate of the 
first Persian fleet '? What was done by a second fleet ? How numerous 
was the army that invaded Attica ? By whom was it commanded 1 

6. Wliere and by whom was tliis host met ? Wliat was the loss on 
each side? 

7. How was the merit of Miltiades repaid ? Wliat happened to him ? 

8. WTiat were the parties into wliich the Athenians were divided ? Who 
were the two leaders ? 

J. "Wliat is said of Aristides ? What happened while the people were 
(living their votes tor his exile ? "Wliat did Aristides do ? 

10. Wliat canned a discontinuance of the Persian war ? By whom was 
it renewed ? How hiri;e an army is Xerxes said to have collected ? 

11. Of what did his fleet consist? "What canal and bridges were 
formed ? 

12. "Why did Xerxes shed tears on viewing the vast assemblage ? 

13. "V\'Ti"at course was taken by the Pcrsitms ? "Wlio was leader of 
A-thens ? "Wliat states took part \vith Athens ? 

14. What did Leonidas undertake? What reply did he give to the 



360 GREECE. 

herald of Xerxes, who comitiandcd him to deliver up his arms » Wha\ 

followed ? 

15. What course did Leonidas take'? What was the result"? What 
inscription was written on the monument erected on the spot ? 

16. WTiat did the Persians now do"? Wlmt course did the Athenians 
take 1 

17. For what were preparations now made ? Of what did the two fleets 
consist ? Who commanded the Grecian fleet ? Where did the engage- 
in 3nt take place '? Wliat was the issue ? 

18. Who was left by Xerxes to complete the conquest of Greece' 
\A'here and by whom was this amny met ? Wliat was the issue 1 

19. What took place on the same day of the victory of Platasa • What 
happened to Xerxes ? 

20. What coui-se did the Greeks ptii-sue ? By whom were the Spartans 
and Athenians commarided 1 What did they accomplish 1 

21. What is related of Pausaiiias 1 

22. What is related of Thcmistocles 1 

23. Who took the direction of affairs in Athens after the banishment of 
Themistocles ? 

24. What victories did Cimon gain? 

25. What afterwards happened to Cimon ? Who succeeded him ? 

26. What further is related of Cimon"? 

27. How long did the Persian war last "? What were the conditions of 
peace "? 

28. What took place after the death of Cimon ? 

29. TVTiat is said of the government of Pericles ? 

30. What is said of the time of the Persian war ? What took place 
after the war with Persia 1 What is related of Athens and Sparta 1 

31. What was the efi'ect of the war on the Athenians "? By what means 
did they reach the summit of political influence and military power "? 

32. On what did the politics of Greece, after this, turn "? What is said 
of Athens and Sparta, and how did they differ "? 

33. What took place from this period? What was the effect of an ac- 
quaintance with Asia ? How was this luxurious spirit directed by the 
Athenians ? 

Section VIII. 

1. Wliat was the origin of the Peloponnesian war ? 

2. What is said of this war ? How was it carried on ? 
3 Of what were the Athenians accused ? 

4 . What state took the lead ? By wliat states was she joined ? What 
allies had Athens ? Wliat did the forces of each amount to ? 

5. Wliat was done in the first year of the war ? What took place in the 
second year ? Was the war an-ested by the plague ? 

6 'Wlio governed Athens after the death of Pericles ? What is said of 
riern? What happened after his death? 

7 Wlmt is said of Alcibiades ? 

8. Wlio commanded the expedition against Sicily? What was the 
issue of it ? 

9. Wliat is said of Lysander ? What was next done by the Laccdte- 
monians ? 

10. On what conditions were the Athenians spared ? How did the Pe- 
'oponnesian war terminate ? 

' 1. Wliat did Lysander do after the reduction of Athens ? How many 
citizens did the thirty tyrants sacrifice in the space of six months ? Whal 
was done by Thrasybulus ? 

12. What is said of pure democracy at Athens ? How were tlie Athe< 
oians characterized f 



GREECE. 361 

13. Who is at once the glory and the reproach of Athens ? What i? 
said of this philosopher ? 

14. Wiiat is related of him during his imprisonment ? 

15. What is said of the philosophy of Socrates'? What did he do 
respecting philosophy ? 

IC. In what contest were upwards of 10,000 Greek mercenaries em 
ployed ? Who commanded the Greeks in their retreat ? 

17. What is said of tliis retreat? 

18. How did the Spartans become involved in the war? Wliat did 
the king of Persia etfect by means of bribes ? What course did Agesiiaus 
taKe? 

19. How was the war ended ? Wliat were the conditions of f«ace ? 

^ 20. Wliai state now rose into importance ? What was done by tli€ 
Spartans ? By whom was the citadel recovered ? 

21. What then ensued ? Wliat were the losses of each in the battle of 
Leuctra ? 

22. What was then done by the Thebans ? How long had it been since 
the country of Laconia had been ravaged ? 

23. What course did the Theban commander then take ? What other 
victory did he gain ? 

24. What is said of Epaminondas ? 

2.5. By what was the battle of Mantinea followed ? In what did the 
Spartans next engage ? What was the issue ? 

Section IX. 

1 . "VVlrat is said of the history of Greece after the death of Agesiiaus ? 
What was the situation of the Grecian affairs ? 

2. Wliat is said of Athens at this time? What of Sparta? What 
pi'oject did Philip form ? 

3. Wh&t is said of the kingdom of Macedon ? Who were the inhabit 
ants ? 

4. Wliat is said of the Macedonian empu-e ?^ Wliy is it sometimes 
called the Grecian empire ? 

5. Under whom was Philip educated ? What is further said of him '' 
Wiiat measures did he adopt to bring the states of Greece under his do 
minion ? 

6. "Wliat was the cause of the Sacred War ? What states took part in 
the contest ? 

7. Wliat course did Philip adopt ? Wliat was he styled ? What course 
did the Athenians take ? 

8. ^Vliat circumstance again drew Philip into Greece ? What was the 
occasion of it ? Wliat states resisted Pliilip ? What was the result of the 
contest ? 

9. Wliat measures did the conqueror adopt ? 

10 What did Philip next project ? Wliat happened to him ? 

11 , B y whom was Philip succeeded ? What is said of Alexander ? 

1 2. "VVliat was done by Demosthenes ? Wliat course did Alexander 
take ? What was the fate of the Thebans '^ What was the effect of these 
acts ' 

13. What were Alexander's next measures ? Who were his companions 
ir arms ? 

14. With what force did he cross the Hellespont? To what place liid 
he first proceed ? Wliat did he say respecting Achilles ? 

15. Where did the Persian satraps meet lilra ? Wliat were the losse» 
on each side in the battle of the Granicus ? What is here mentioned r& 
gpecting Alexander ? 

16 What were the consequences of this victoiy ? 

31 



362 GKEECE. 

17. What battle was fought in the next spring ? What was the number 
of the Persian army ? What were the losses ? Where did the engage« 
ment take place ? 

18. Who fell into the hands of the conqueror ? What offer did Darius 
make Alexander, in consequence of his generous conduct ? 

19. What did Parmenio say of the offer ? What was Alexander's re- 
ply ? What answer did he return to the proposal ? 

20. What was his next course? What was the consequence of the 
Tyrians refusing his demand ? What piece of cruelty did he exercise ? 

21. What was the next exploit ? 

22. Whither did he then proceed ? What did he accomplish ? What 
city did he found ? 

23. What proposal did he receive from Darius on his return? What 
answer did he return ? 

24. With how large an army did he cross the Euphrates ? What losses 
were sustained in the battle that followed ? Where was this battle fought, 
and what is it called ? 

25. What was the consequence of this battle ? What has since been 
the fact with regard to Europe ? What happened to Darius and the em- 
pire ? 

26. What was Alexander's next procedure? What course did hia 
soldiers take ? 

27. To what city did Alexander then march his army ? What did he 
do here ? AVhere and in what manner did he die ? 

28. What is said of Alexander and his course ? 

29. What is said of his abilities and traits of character ? 

30. For what was he distinguished in the early part of his career; 
What afterwards took place ? 

31. Of what acts of ingratitude and injustice was he guilty ? 
- 82. What does his history show ? 

Section X. 

1. What did Alexander do respecting a successor? By what was hia 
death followed ? 

2. Wlio was appointed by his generals ■? How was the empire divided 1 
What followed ? Wliat was the new division after the battle of Ipsus 1 

3. What was the end of the kingdoms of Thrace and Macedonia ? 
Wliat is said of S3a-ia and Egypt ? 

4. What was done by the Grecian states during Alexander's conquests 1 

5. Wliat effect did the news of Alexandei''s death have at Athens? 
By whom was Demosthenes opposed ? What was the language of 
Phocion ? 

6 How far did the counsels of Demosl^enes prevail ? What was the 
fate of Demosthenes ? 

7. By whom was Antipater succeeded ? What took place at Athens ? 
What is related of Phocion 1 

8 By whom was Polysperchon succeeded 1 What is said of the gov 
emment of Demetrius Phalereus 1 ' 

9. What was the state of Athens aftenvards ? 

10. Wliat was the condition of the Grecian states from this period ? Bj 
whom was the country ravaged 1 

11. Who next invaded Peloponnesus ? What happened to him ? 

12. By what confederacy was the last effort made in favor of Greece? 
To whom was the government of this confederacy committed ? What de- 
sign did he form ? 

13. By whom was Aratus succeeded ? What is said of him ? 

14. What is related of the Romans ? What was accomplished by theii 



GREECE. 363 

anay under Quintius Flaminius ? What took place nearly thii*ty yeant 
aftei^wards ? 

1 5. What part did the Romans take, ■with respect to the Achaean league 1! 
AVho sought the assistance of the Romans ? "VVhat was done by Metellus ? 
What afterwards took place ^ 

16. What is said of Greece after she became subject to the Romans'* 
Wliere were the most distinguished Romans educated ? 

17. What do we see in reviewing the history of the Greeks 1 In what 
were they unrivalled "i 

18. What circumstance must impress the readers of the history of 
A thcns t Who were victims of this injustice "? What was done respecting 
tliim 1 

19. What is said respecting the supposed virtuous age of Greece'? 
What is said of the morality of the Greeks ? 

20. What is stated by Mi'tford '? 

21. How were the earlier times characterized? How was it in a latei 
apo ? What had the history of the world demonsti-ated ? 

Section XI. — Grecian Antiquities. 

Among whom did the most of the ancient sects of philosophy have their 
origin ? When did Grecian literature flourish most ? 

What is said of the Ionic sect "? " The Italian or Pythagorean sect ' 
The Socratic School ? The Cjmics 1 The Academic sect ? The Peri 
patetic sect '? The Sceptical sect "? The Stoic sect ? The Epicm-eans 1 

What does Tytlcr say respecting the Greek philosophy 1 What course 
did its teachers pursue ■? 

Who were most illustrious Grecian poets 1 



Who were famous statuaries 1 Painters 1 Historians 1 



Who were the seven wise men of Greece 1 



Bv whom is the council of the Amphictyons supposed to have been in- 
stituted 1 Of what was it Trr.posed 1 Of how many deputies did it 
consist 1 When and where am they meet t 

Wh9.t were the objects of this assembly ? 

On what occasions were the Greeks in the habit of consulting oracles ?- 
What were their most celebrated oracles 1 

What were the four public games in Greece ? What exercises were 
J racJsed at these games ? 

What is said of running, leaning, and boxing ? 

In honor of whom v/ere the Olympic games instituted ? Where am? 
when were they celebrated? What did they draw together? "WTiat 
preparation was required ? 

What oath were the contenders obliged to take ? What was the prize 
bestowed on the victor ? What is said of it ? How was the victor treated ? 

How did the Greeks compute their time ■* 

What is said of the Pythian games ? With what were the victors 
crowned ? 

Wliere and how often were the Nemean games celebrated ? With wha< 
Were the victors crownied ? -j c *u j 

Why were the Isthmian games so called ? What is said of them f 
What was the reward of the victors ? 



364 GREECE. 

Into what classes were the inhabitants of Athens divided ? 

Who were the citizens 1 Into how many tribes were tney divided '. 
What is said of the privilege of citizenship ? 

What was the condition of the sojourners ? 

Wliat is said of the slaves or servants 1 

In what was the supreme executive power vested ■? What garlands did 
they wear 1 Wliat was the first of the nine called ? What was hiis office ? 
For what crime was he punished -with death 1 

What were the duties of the second archon 1 What did the third archoii 
superintend 1 

Wliat were the duties of six other archons ? 

Into what three sorts were the Athenian magisti-ates divided ? 

Wliat rights had the poor citizens ? What were the candidates for office 
obliged to do 1 To what were the magistrates liable while in office "? What 
were they obliged to do after their office had expired 1 

Of whom were the assemblies of the people composed 1 How often 
and where were they held 1 

Of how many citizens must the assembly consist, in order to transact 
business "? How was the decision made 1 

How often was the senate elected, and of how many did it consist ? 
What were the duties of the senate f 

Prom what was the name of Areopagus taken ? What is said of this 
court "? Of what were the Ai-eopagites guardians 1 

What is said of the ostracism 1 Was it necessary that any crime should 
be alleged against the exUe 1 What is remarked of this institution 1 



Of what two classes did the inhabitants of Sparta consist ? 

Into what two classes were the citizens divided 1 

Which were the more numerous, the slaves or the freemen ? What did 
the slaves perform ? 

What were the two chief magistrates ? Wnat were their duties ? 

Of what did the senate consist 1 What was its authority '^ Who were 
admitted to this assembly ? 

What were the Ephori ? What was their duty ? 

What were the two public assemblies of Sparta ? When was the 
general assembly convened 1 When and for what pm-poses was the lesse* 
assembly held 1 

Chronological a able of Urecian Histokt. 

When did the first OljTnpiad begin ? 
When did Solon form his code of laws ? 
Wlien did the Persian war begin ? The Peloponnesian war 1 
When did Alexander invade Persia 1 
When was the battle of Ipsus ? Pydna ? 
When was Greece reduced to a Roman province ? 

What are some of the events mentioned in the 6th century B, C. ! 
Wha ; m the 7th ? The 6th ? &c. 

Chronological Table of Grecian Literature. 

What statesmen and warriors floui-ished in the 7th centiuy B.C.? Th« 
6 th ■? &c. 

What philosophers in the 6th century B. C. The 5th ? &c. 
Wliat poets and artists in the 7th centtiry B. C. 1 The 6th ? &c 
What historians in the 5th century B. C. ■? The 4th ? &c. 



SYRIA UNDER THE SELEUCIDiE. — ROME. 365 



SYRIA UlSTDER THE SELEUCIDvE. 

1. Wlio obtained possession of the principal possessions of Alexander 
In Asia, after his death ? Wlio defeated Antigouus ? How long did the 
kingdom of Sjria or SjTO-Media last 1 By what kings was it governed I 

2. What is said of Seleucus and his exploits 1 What is said of 
Ar.tioch 1 

3. What was the end of Seleucus ? Bv whom was he succeeded 1 

4. Wlifit is said of the reigns of Antiochus Theos and Seleucus Cal- 
liuicus ? 

5. Who was one of the most distinguished of this race -of sovereigns? 
\\'Tiat is related of his reign ? 

6. By whom was Antiochus visited ? What did he undertake ? By 
whom and where was he defeated ? 

7. Who were the next two kings? What was done by the latter' 
What did the Jews perform ? 

8. What is said of the succeeding reigns ? 

9. When did Seleucus I. begin to reign ? Antiochus the Great ? Who 
was the last of the Seleucidce ? 



EGYPT mSTDER THE PTOLEMIES. 

1 . What is said of the prosperity of Egj'pt ? How long did the dynasty 
of the Ptolemies last ? 

2. Who was Ptolemy Lagus ? What is said of his history and his abilities 1 

3. What important public services did he perform 1 

4. By whom was Ptolemy Soter succeeded 1 What is related of Ptol 
emy Piiiladelphus ? What is said of Iiis court ? What celebrated version 
was made during his reign ? 

5. Wliat is said of Ptolemy Evergetes ? With what did his reign com- 
mence 1 What vow was made by his queen ? 

6. How was the hair regarded ? What is said of that of Berenice "* 
"WTiat took place respecting it ? 

7. By whom was Ptolemy Evergetes succeeded ? For what was his 
reign distinguished 1 WTiat excited his resentment against the Jews ? 

8. Wliat decree did he publish ? What effect did it produce ? What 
did he tlien command 1 What was the consequence ? 

9. What is said of tlie first three Ptolemies ? What of the others ? 

10. Why was Ptolemy Soter so named? Ptolemy Phi'adelphus ? 
Ptolemy Evergetes ? Ptolemy Philopatcr ? Ptolemy Epiphanes ? &c. 

11. Who was the last of the Ptolemies 1 AVlio was his queen ? With 
whom is her history connected ? What was the manner of her dea'Ji ? 
Wliat was the condition of Egypt afterwards ? 

1 2. WTiat is related respecting the queens of the Ptolemies ? 

13. When did Ptolemy Lagus begin to reign? Who was the last of 
*licse sovereigns ? When did she die ? 

ROME. 

Section I. 

1. What state becomes the leading object of attention, after the conquest 
of Greece .l..-AYhat is said of its rise and importance ? What is remariced 
v^Of -its-tiTstoiT ? What is involved in its history ? 

f 2. Wliat was its extent during its eariy history ? WTiat change after 
I nords took place ? How lonar did the empire continue ? 

31* 



S66 ROME. 

3. What is said of the early history of the Romans ? What reason* are 
there for supposing there must be a mixture of fiction ? 

4. How is the length of time comprised in the reigns of the seven kingf 
regarded 1 What happened to several of these kings ? What was the 
average length of their reigns 1 

5. What is remarked respecting the histories of the early ages ? Of 
Romulus, of the seven kings, and early ages of the commonwealth ? 

6. What account do the poets give of ^neas 1 How long was the sue- 
cession continued in his family 1 

7. Of whom was Rhea Sylvia the mother? What is related of the 
brothers 1 What did Romulus do after he had built the city of Rome * 

8. How is Romulus said to have divided the people 1 Of how many 
members did the senate consist ? From whom were they chosen 1 How 
did he attach the two classes to each other 1 What duties did the patron 
and client perform to each other 1 

9. By what persons was the king attended 1 

10. Who was the second king of Rome 1 Of what town was he a na- 
tive ? How is he represented 1 What did he do 1 

11. Who was the third king? For what is his reign memorable'? 
What was the issue of this combat 1 

12. Who was the fourth king 1 What did he do ? 

13. Who was the successor of Ancus Martius ? Wliat was done by him t 

14. What is related of Servius TuUius ? What did he establish 1 By 
what was the census closed 1 

15. What were the characters of the two daughters of Servius ? What 
measure did he take with regard to them, in order to secure the throne ? 
How did he attempt to correct their defects ? What v/as the issue ? 

16. How did Tarquin the Proud begin his reign 1 What was the conse- 
quence ? Wliat is related of Sextus ? What course did Lucretia take 1 

17. What measures were taken to excite the indignation of the people 
against the Tarquins ? What was done with Tarquin 1 

Section II. 

1. WTiat government was established instead of the regal authority? 
To whom did the supreme- power belong ? What two new officers were 
chosen ? What is said of their power ? Who were the first consuls ? 

2. What measures were taken by Tarquin ? Wliat partisans had he in 
Rome '2 In what plot were the sons of Brutus concerned ? What course 
did Brutus take ? What remark is made by an ancient author upon his 
conduct ? 

3. What took place after the insun-ection in the city was suppressed ? 
Wliat notice was taken of the death of Brutus ? Who was the first that 
enjoyel the reward of a triumph ? 

4 What course did Valerius adopt to regain his popularity ? W hat 
wai the effect of this law ? 

5 How long were the Romans involved in hostilities on account of 
Tarquin ? What was the most remarkable of these wars ? Who distin- 
guished themselves in it ? 

6. What other troubles were added to those of war ? What course did 
the plebeians take ? Why was the authority of the consuls of no a\'ail ? 

7. Wliat new magistrate was now created ? In wliat cases was he ay. 
pointed ? Wliat was his authority ? Wlio was chosen dictator ? What 
was the issue ? What other occasion was there for a dilator ? 

8. What troubles followed after the return of peace ? What course did 
the plebeians adopt on an alarm of war ? What was their language ? 
What step did they at length take ? 

». What was the consequence of this procedm-e '* What was done by 



ROME. 367 

Henenins Agiippa ? Wliat was granted to the plebeians ■? How pftoii 
were tribunes elected, and what was their number'? What two othe* 
magistrates were appointed ? 

10. What did a neglect of agriculture occasion ? In what manner did 
Coriolanus excite the resentment of tlie people ? What was the conse- 
quence '? 

11. What law was proposed that caused dissension? Who demanded 
«!uch a division of the public lands ? 

1 '2. Wliat was the law which Volero caused to be enacted ? What was 
the effect of this law ? 

lU. What is related of Cincinnatus ? What did he do after his victories ■* 

14. "Wliat was the fact respecting the laws of the Romans 1 Who ad- 
tainistered justice ? What is said of their proceedings f What measures 
were taken to pi-ovide a code ? 

15. For what were tlie decemvirs appointed? Of what statutes was 
Uiis the origin ? 

16. With what were the decemvirs invested? How did they govern? 
Wliat caused a termination of the office ? 

17. What was cne of the crimes of Appius Claudius? What was the 
other ? 

18. What decree did he pronounce? What was done by Virginius ' 
Wliat was the effect ? Wliat took place respecting the decemvirs and de- 
cemvirate ? 

Section HI. 

1. Wliat were the barriers which still separated the patricians and pie 
beians ? Wliich was repealed ? Wliat was the effect ? 

2. What officers were chosen instead of consuls ? Did this institution 
continue long ? 

3. Wliat was prevented by the disorders of the republic ? What officers 
were appointed to remedy this neglect ? Wliat was their duty ? What ii 
said of this office ? 

4. Wliat practice was introduced to avoid the evils arising from the 
people's rcfiising to enlist in the army ? What changes took place after 
this ? 

5. Wliat decree was made respecting Veii ? What followed ? 

6. How did Camillus proceed ? How was he rewarded ? 

7. What is related of the Gauls ? In what did they engage ? What 
reply did Brennus make to the ambassadors from the senate ? What did 
Bieiinus do in consequence of the ambassador's having assisted the inhab- 
itants of Clusium? 

8. What steps did the Gauls take after the battle of Allia? What en 
terprise did a body of Gauls perform ? Wliat was the issue ? 

9. On what condition did the Gauls agree to quit the city? What was 
done by Camillus ? 

1 . What afterwards happened to Manlius ? 

1 1 . Against whom did the Romans next turn their arms ? How long 
did this contest last, and how was it carried on ? What disgrace did the 
Samnite3 cause the Romans to undergo ? What was the effect ? 

12. 'Wliat war broke out during the consulship of Torquatus Manilas ^ 
Wliat is related respecting the son of Manlius ? 

13. What course did the Tarentines take ? With how large an army 
did Pyn-hus land ? What was the issue of the battle ? What exclamation 
did Pyrrhus make ? 

14. What generous conduct is related of Fabricius ? What effect uiJ 
this have on Pyrrhus ? 

15. What course did Pyrrhus afterwards take? Of what did the Ro- 
mans now become masters ? 



368 ROME. 



Section IV. 



1. With what states does the history of Eome now become connected t 

2. By whom was Carthage founded'? What was the gcvemment* 
What was the religion 1 

3. What was the situation of Carthage in the time of the Punic wars 1 
What had it under its dominion ? What is said of the character of the 
Cartliaginians 1 

4. Did Carthage produce many philosophers? What generals did it 

produce 1 o tt 

5 By whom was Sicily colonized? What is said of Syracuse 1 Hew 
was it govemed 1 

6 What is said of Gelon and his successors ? By whom was the regal 
government restored ? By whom was Dionysius the Younger dethroned ' 

Section V. 

L What were the Homans desirous of, after having become masters of 
all Lower Italy ? What conquests had they not yet made 1 What is said 
of Carthage ? How are the Carthaginians and Romans compared ? 

2. How was the fii'st Punic war brought on ? What was the object of 
both parties 1 

3. What course did the Eomans take? What was their success? 
What part did the Syracusans act ? 

4. "What fui-ther advantages did the Eomans gain? What course was 
adopted by Regulus ? What was the issue ? What is further related of 
Eegulus ? 

5. "What was the final issue of the war? To what terms did the Car- 
thaginians agree ? "Wliat was the state of Sicily and Syracuse ? What 
conquest dicf the Romans next make ? 

6. How long did peace last 1 How long was it since the temple of 
Janus had been shut ? 

7. Wliat is said of Hamilcar ? What of Hannibal ? How did Hannibal 
commence the second Punic war ? 

8. What design did Hannibal now fonn and execute ? What is said of 
the victory of Cannae, and of the losses of the Eomans ? 

9. For what has Hannibal been censured ? 

10. By whose counsels were the Eomans now guided ? "Wliat were 
Fabius and Marcellus styled? "What was the subsequent fortune of 
Hannibal ? 

11. T\niatis related respecting Syracuse? "What did it now become? 
"Wliat was the fate of the Carthaginians under Asdrubal ? 

12. "What was done by Scipio the Younger? What course did the 
Carthaginians adopt ? Wliat engagement followed ? "What were the con 
ditions of peace ? How long did the war continue ? 

13. Wlieie did Hannibal pass the rest of his life? With whom did ha 
hold friendly conversations ? "Wliat reply did he make to the question; 
whom he thought the greatest general ? 

14. How did the first Macedonian war terminate ? What victory did 
the Eoman army under Scipio Asiaticus gain? How did the second 
Macedonian war terminate ? 

15. "What was the pretext with the Romans for commencing the third 
Panic war ? What is stated of Porcius Cato ? 

16. What was off'ered on the part of the Carthaginians ? "What did tha 
Romans require of them ? How was the demand received ? 

17 . What was the dui-ation and issue of the siege ? "What is related re 
Bpecting the destruction of the city ? 

18. Bv what other event was the same year signalized? What othei 
conquest did the Romans soon after make ? 



ROME. 369 

Section VI. 

1. How had l^e Romans been hitherto characterized? What ^.han^es 
fc'cre now introduced 1 

2. What was now the condition of Rome 1 What took place after there 
teased to be danger from a foreign enemy ? 

3. What is related of Tiberius and Caius Gracchus 1 What did Ti 
berius attempt ? What was the issue 1 

4. Wliat is related of his brother Caius ? 

5. How did Jugurtha attempt to obtain the crown of Numidia ? What 
were Lis farther proceedings ? 

6. Wlio commanded the Roman army in the war against Jugurtha ? 
What was the issue ? Wliat victory did Marius afterwards gain 1 

7. Wliat gave rise to the Social war 1 How many men were destroyol 
in it ? How was it ended ? 

8. What design did Mithridates form ? How did he begin the Mithri- 
datic war 1 What Romans bore a distinguished part in it ? 

9. What is related respecting Sylla ? What of his rival Marius 1 

10. Wliat course did Sylla take "? What became of Marius ? Wliat 
was perfonned by Cinna ? "VNTiat is furtlier related of Marius and Cinna 1 

11. What was done by Sylla after returning from his campaign 1 How 
did he proceed after he had wreaked his vengeance on his enemies 1 Wliat 
epitaph did he write for himself ? How many were slain in the civil war 
between Sylla and Marius 1 

12. What took place after the death of Sylla ? By whom was the party 
of Marius supported ■? 

13. By what war was Rome next harassed ? What was its termination ? 

14. What took place a few years after the defeat of Spartacus t What 
plan was concerted ? 

15. By whom was this conspiracy detected and crushed? How was it 
ended ? 

Section VII. 

1. Why was Pompey sumamcd the Great? Wliat did he perform? 
How was he received on returning to Rome ? 

2. Who were now the most considcralile men in Rome? What is 
related of Julius Caesar? What was done by Pompey, Crassus, and 
Caisar ? 

3. How did they distribute the provinces ? What was the course of 
Crassus ? What took place with regard to Caesar and Pompey ? 

4. What course did Caesar take after the division of the provinces t 
Wliat is said of his career ? How did he continue to give a color of jus 
tite and humanity to his operations ? Wliat did he acquhe ? 

5. What is related of Pompey? What took place when the tenn of 
Ceesar's government was about to expire? What then followed? Who 
were friends of Pompey ? Who were on the side of Cassar ? 

6. What preparations had Pompey made ? Wliat reply did he make 
when asked with what troops he expected to oppose Ci^sar ? 

7. What course did Caesar adopt ? What river formed the limits of his 
oommand ? What did he do on arriving at the banks of this river ? 

8. What effect did the news of this movement have at Rome ? Wliat 
coarse did Pompey ado]it ? By whom was he followed ? 

9. What success did Cajsar meet with ? For what purpose did he say 
that he had entered Italy ? What was his next course ? 

10. What part did the monarchs of the East take ? By whom was 
%'ompev joined ? n « 

11. Wiiat were Caesar's movements after staying eleven days at Rome* 
What is said of the importance of the contest ? 



370 ROME. 

12. What force had each of the parties ? What was the feeling on th 
side of Pompey ■? "What was the issue of the engagement "? 

13. What acts of clemency did Caesar perform 1 What is related ol 
him on viewing the field of battle 1 

14. What is related of the course and fate of Pompey ? What inscrip 
tion was placed over his ashes ? What anecdote is related resj)ccting 
Cs^ar "? 

1.5. By whom was the thi'one of Egypt now possessed f AVliat is men 
tioncd respecting Cleopatra ? Wlmt war ensued '? What called Ctcsui 
away from Egypt? How did Csesai- express the rapidity of his vi;iorj 
over Pliarnaces 1 

16. What was Csesar's next proceeding? Over whom did he gain a 
victory at Thapsus m Africa .- What is related of Cato ? 

17. What triumph did Ci»sar celebrate on returning to Rome? WLat 
else did he do to please the aiTay and people ? What effect did these acts 
produce on the multitude and senate? 

18. What expedition was he next obliged to undertake ? What was 
the issue ? 

19. How did he use his power after having subdued all who opposed his 
usurpation ? "What did he say respecting his designs ? How did he pro- 
ceed, and what did he perform ? 

20. What rumor was circulated respecting Caesar's designs ? What is 
said of the feelings of the people ? Wliat design was formed against him ? 
What is said of Brutus and of Cassias ? 

21. What time did the conspirators fix upon for executing their designs ? 
How did he defend himself, and what was the result ? What particulars 
are mentioned respecting his age and career ? 

22. What threefold character did Caesar unite ? What is said of his 
claims to regard ? 

23. What is remarked of his caieer and disposition? Wliat apology 
has been made for him ? AVliat Roman jjatriots lived in the same age ? 

24. What remark did he make in passing a village among the Alps ? 
What sentiment of Euripides did he often repeat ? 

25. What is said of his military character, and his popularity with his 
troops ? How are Alexander and Ctesar compared ? 

26. Wliat summary does Mailer give of Caesar's exploits ? 

27. How did the murder of Cissar affect the Roman people ? What 
was done by Mark Antony, and what was the effect ? 

28. What is related of Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius ? 

29. What did they stipulate ? Who were some of the persons consigned 
to death ? What is related respecting the death of Cicero ? What per- 
sons were sacrificed in the proscription ? 

30. Wliat is related of Bmtus and Cassius ? By whom were they pur- 
BTied ? What was the issue ? What course did Brutus and Cassius take ? 

31. What is mentioned respecting the triumvirs ? What is related of 
Antony and Cleopatra ? 

32. What was the effect of the battle of Actium ? What course did 
Antony and Cleopatra take ? 

Section "Vill. 

1 . What is said of the battle of Actium ? What is said of Augustus 
VVhat did Agrippa, and what did Maecenas advise him to do ? 

2. To which did Augustus give the preference ? How did he proceed ! 

3. What is said of his reputation ? What of his reign, and what did Lfl 
t'ffect ? 

4. In what year of his age, and after how long a reign, did he die * 
VThat is said of him ? 



ROME. 371 

5. Of what were Augustus and Maecenas patrons ? What is said of 
Bie Augastan age ? 

6. By wliat is the reign of Augustus rendered memorable ? When did 
the birth of our Saviour take place ■? \Vlien did he sutler cracifixion ? 

7. By whom was Augustus succeeded 1 How did he commeuce his 
reign ? How did he afterwards proceed 1 

8 How did tlie successes of Germanicus affect Tiberius ? Whom did 
he then take into his contidence ? Wliat did Scjanus persuade him to do ^ 
What fina!'y happened to Sejanus and Tiberius ? 

9. Whom did Tiberius adopt for his heir and successor ? Wliat is re 
Uted of him and his proceedings ? What does Seneca say of him ? 

10. What took place after tlie death of Caligula? Who was raised to 
Ihe throne ? What is said of him ? 

11. What enterprise did he undertake? VrTiat is said of Caractacu:? ? 
What exclamation did he make on being led through the streets of Rome ' 

12. ^V^lat is related of Messalina i What of Agrippinal 

1 3. By whom was Nero educated ? How did he commence his reign f 
What is said of liis character? Wlio were some of the victims of his 
rruelty ? 

14. Wliy did he cause Rome to be set on fire 1 How did he attempt 
to divert the public odium from himself'? 

15. AVliat is said of Nero ? By whom was the conspiracy against hira 
headed ? What crimes did Galba enumerate ? What took place respect- 
ing him ? 

16. Wlio was declared emperor after tlie death of Nero ? What is said 
of Galba " Wiom did lie ado;)t for liis successor, and what was the con- 
sequence ? What does Tacitus say of him "^ 

17. Who was then proclaimed emperor? Wliat afterwards took place? 
What course did Vitellius take on being proclaimed emperor ? What 
afterwards took place ? 

1 8. How was Vespasian received after being declared emperor ? What 
in said of him and his acts ? 

Vi. For what is his reign memorable ? Wliat was done to Jerusalem ? 
How many perished, and how many were taken prisoners ? What be 
came of the survivors ? 

20. By whom was Vespasian succeeded ? What is related of Titus ? 
What event happened during his reign ? By whom was he succeeded ? 

21 "What is said of Domitian, his cliaracter and habits ? 

22. ^\niat was the manner of Domitian's death ? By what was his reign 
signalized ? 

23. Who was the last and who the first of the twehe Caesars ? 

Section IX. 

■^Tio succeeded Domitian? What is said of Nerva? Whom did 
hrj adopt {jr his successor ? 

2 '^^^lat is said of Trajan ? For what has he hcxMi /-ommended ? W]-a.t 
is said of him as a general ? What charge did he give to the prctorian 
prefect on presenting the sword ? What surname did the senate confer 
upon him, and how were they accustomed to hail every new emperor ? 

3. What was the extent of the empire in the i-eign of Trajan ? "Wliat 
eonquests did he make ? How were his victories commemorated ? 

4. What is said of him witli respect to literature ? "What is remarked 
sf his death ? By wliat was his character tarnished ? 

5. By whom was Trajan succeeded? What is said of Adrian? To 
what did he devote himself ? What expedition did he undertake ? "What 
was done bv him in Britain ? 

6 "What "did he do resoecting Jerusalem ? What course did the Jews 



73 ROME 

lake ? What destructioii was made by the emperor's army ? Whom did 
Adrian adopt for his successor 1 

7. What is said of Titus Antoninus and his reign? What was his 
favorite maxim "? 

8. Who succeeded Antoninus Pius 1 What is said of him 1 To Avliat 
was he attached ? 

9. Did the Antonines permit the persecution of the Christians 1 What 
was presented to the former of the two 1 What happened to the army 
under the latter ? 

10. What are the last five emperors styled 1 Whai took place after tlda 
period 1 

Section X. 

1. By whom was Aurelius succeeded ? What is said of Commodiis 1 
By whom was he succeeded ? What was his fate 1 

2. What was now done with the empire ? Who was proclaimed em- 
peror instead of Didius Julianus ? Who were his competitors ? What is 
said of Severus ? What did he do in Britain 1 

3. To whom did Severus leave the empire ? What is related of them 1 
Who succeeded Macrinus ? 

4. What is said of Heliogabalus 1 What was his fate 1 

5. By whom was Heliogabalus succeeded 1 What is said of Alexander 
Sevenis ? By whom was he murdered and succeeded ? What is said of 
Maximin 1 

6. How many reigns were there between Alexander Severus and Diocle- 
tian ? What was the length of this period ? What is said of these reigns ? 

7. By whom was Valerian taken prisoner ? How was he treated ? 

8. What is said of the reign of Aurelian 1 For what was he distin 
guished ? What exploits did he peifomi ? What took place on his retm-n 
to Rome'? 

9. What is said of Diocletian 1 What did he do after he had reigned 
awhile ? How was the empire divided ? 

10. What happened dui-ing this reign ? What is said of this perse- 
cution ? 

1 1 What did Diocletian experience in the latter part of his reign ' 
Wliat course did he take 1 What did he say of his situation ? 

Section XI. 

1 . Where did Constantius die ? Who succeeded him ? What extra- 
ordinary circumstance is related by historians ? 

2. What did Constantine become 1 To what did he put an end '^ What 
is remarked of his reign ? 

3 What important event took place during his reign ? Wliat is thought 
tc have been the effect of this measure ? What is said of the character of 
Constantine 1 

4. How did Constantine divide the empire 1 Who became sole em- 
peror ? What is said of the reign of Constantius ? 

5. By whom was Constantius succeeded ? What is said of him ? Wliat 
dii he undertake to do, and what was the issue 1 How was he killed ? 

6. Bj whom was Julian succeeded ? Who was next chosen emperor ? 
What course did he adopt ? Whai people settled in Thiace 1 

7. Who succeeded Valentinian ■? Who became sole emperor after the 
death of Gratian and Valentinian II. ? By what was his reign signalized ? 
Wliat is said of him ? By whom was he succeeded 1 

8. What happened through the weakness of the empc'-ors ? What was 
done by the Goths ? Who defeated Alaric 1 What did Alari" afterwardg 
perform 1 To what was the city reduced ' 



ROME. S7a 

9. "V\ hat took place after the ravages of famine 1 Wliat was the ad- 
dress of Alaric to his array ? What is said of the devastation 1 

10. What did tlie Gotlis do after the death of Alaric 1 

11. What took ]ilace after tlie sacking of Rome by Alaric 1 "What do 
feat did Attila suffer 1 What did he do afterwards ? 

12. What was the occasion of the invasiou of Genseiici Wliat was 
performed by him ? 

13. What "took place with regard to the Western Empu-e after the death 
of Valenrinian III. '{ 

14. What is said of the rise and fall of the empire 1 

Section XII. 

1 . How long did the kingdom of the Heruli continue ? By whom was 
it terminated f ^^^lere was tlie residence of Theodoric ? Who defeated 
Theodotus 1 What afterwards took place ? 

2. What was done by Narses after he was recalled hy Justin ? What 
was done by Alboin ? How long did the kingdom of the Lombards last '. 
By whom was it overthrown ? Wiiat is said of the period from Theo • 
dosius to the establishment of the Lombards in Italy 1 

3. Wliat is said of the GotIB ? Why were the Ostrogoths and Visigoths 
so called 1 Who were the Heruli and Lombards ? 

4. What is said of the Eastern Empire ? 

5. When was this empire in the meridian of its glory 1 What is said 
of the code of Justinian 1 

6. What was perfonned by Belisarius and Narses? What church waa 
built by Justinian "? What is remarked of him and his successors 1 

7. \STiat happened after the removal of the seat of empire 1 How did 
this controversy terminate 1 

• 8. ^^^lat was done by the Cmsaders in 1 204 ? How long did their domin- 
ion continue 1 Wliat was the scat of the Greek emperors during this time 1 
9. When and by whom was an end put to the Eastern Empire ? 

Section XIII. — Roman Antiquities. 

2. To whom has the whole structure of the Roman constitution under 
the monarchy been attributed ? What was doubtless true ? 

3. What tiiree divTisions of the people are attributed to Romulus ? Who 
added a fourth tribe ? How were the tribes named 1 

4. What other division was made by Servius 1 How were the classes 
formed ? How many centuries were there ? i i, • « z-wr 

5. What order was added to those of patricians and plebeians'? Of 
whom were the knights composed 1 r^, ■ ,1 a rm 

i. Whii were the nobiles? The Ao?nmes novi? The ignobilesf Iha 
inqenui ? The Uberti or Uberiini ? 
"7. Of whom did the Roman ci'ii'sens consist? 

8. Who were the slaves? How were they considered ? How did men 
l)cconic '^ItiVGS '^ 

9. What is said of the Mnqs ? ^What could they not do of themselves 1 
What were their badges 1 In wh^Kt did they sit, and by whom were they 

attended ? . ;, tt ti «, 

10. Of how many members did the senate consist? How were tliej 
chosen ? How often did they meet ? What was a senatus consuUimf 
Wliy were the senators styled paires ? Why did the patricians denve then 
name from them ? . , . , , j j\j„t,* 

11. WliY were the magistrates previous to their election si fiQAf andidati 7 

12. How were the Roman magistrates divided ? Who were tho ordinal 
magistrates ? The extraordinary ? The provincial ? 



374 ROME. 

13. What is said of the consuls ? What was done respecting them in 
dangerous conjunctures ? What age was requisite in order to be a consul ' 

14. What is said of the pretor ? What were his duties 1 

15. What is said of the office of censor? How many censors wera 
there, and what were their duties 1 

16. For what purpose was the office of the tribunes instituted? 

17 What were the duties of ec/27es ? What two kinds were there 1 

18. What duties did the questors perfonn? Wh-^t were the duties of 
the military questors 1 The provincial questors 1 

19. Wliat were the comitia? How many kinds were there 1 Forwaat 
nnrpose were the comitia summoned ? 

20. Of what did the comitia curiata consist? 

21. What is said of the comitia centuriata? What was done by them? 
Where did they meet 1 

22. What were the comitia tributa? For what were they held? 

23. How long did the comitia continue to be assembled 1 Who discon- 
tinued them ? 

24. What is said of the priests or ministers of religion? What priests 
were common to all the gods ? 

25. What is said of the pontijices ? ' Of the pontifex maximus ? 

26. What is said of the augurs ? What of their office ? In what fire 
ways did they divine ? 

27. Who were the haruspices? From what did they derive their 
omens '? 

28. Who were the quindecimviri ? What were the Sibylline books sup 
posed to contain 1 

29. Who were the septemviri ? 

30. What were the priests of particular deities called? Who were 
the chief of them ? 

31. Where did the Romans worship their gods? Of what did their 
worship consist ? 

32. What festivals were there among the Romans? Which were the 
most celebrated ? 

33. What games or shows were exhibited ? 

34. Who were the gladiators ? When were these combats introduced ? 
Of whom were the combatants composed ? Wliat took place in these 
exhibitions ? What is related of the spectacles exhibited after the triumph 
of Trajan over the Dacians ? 

35. What was a triumph ? On whom was the honor bestowed ? What 
is said of the procession ? Of whom was it composed ? 

36. What were the most distinguished parts of the Roman dress f 
What was the toga ? By whom was the toga virilis assumed ? What 
was the tunica ? 

37. What was the principal meal among the Romans ? On what did 
the early Romans chiefly live ? How was it afterwards ? How did the^ 
place themselves at their meals ? "V\Tiat was their ordinary drink. 

38 What was the Forum ? By what was it surroimded ? 

39. What was the Campus Martins? By what was it adorned? 



Cheonological Table of Roman History. — No. 1. 

Who was the first king of Rome ? Wlio the last ? When did Romulus 
found Rome ? When was the regal government abolished ? Wl^t waa 
done Dj Romulus? Numa? &c. 

When did the contests between the patricians and plebeians begin f 
When was Rome burnt by the Gauls ? When did the first Punic Wat 
begin* The second? Thethii-d? What were Hannibal's victories? 



THE ARABS OF SARACENS. 375 

When did the Mithridatic war begin ? The civil vrar between Mariua 
and Sylla ? Between Caesar and Pompey ? Battle of Actiam ? 

What events took place in the fourth century B. C. ? The 3d ? &o 

CUROXOLOGICAL TaBLE OF ROJIAN HiSTORY. — No 2. 

Who was the first emperor of Rome ? 

Who the last sole emperor of the West and East ? Who the last of 
the Western Empire ? 

When did AuQ;ustus begin to reign? Trajan? Diocletian? Con- 
Btantine the Great ? AVho was the last of the twelve Ccesars ? 

When was the empire divided into Western and Eastern ? 

When did the W^estern Empire terminate ? 

What is said of Augustus or his reign ? Tiberius ? &c. 



Chkonological Table or Roman Literature. 

What public men flourished in the 5th century B. C? In the 4th? 
fcc. 

Wliat poets flourished in the 2d ccntiuy B. C. In the Istl "What 
jnes in the 1st century A. D. ? The 2d ? 

What historians in the 1st century B. C. ? In the 1st A. D. ? 

What philosophers, orators, &c., in the 1st century B. C. ? In the 1st 
A.D.I 

What Jews in the 5th century B. C. 1 In the 1st A. D. ? 

What Chi-istians in the 1st century A. D. 1 The 2d 1 &c. 



THE MIDDLE AGES. 

1. Wliat do the Middle Ages comprise ? What was the state of En 
A)pe during these centuries 1 

2. When did the migration of the Goths, Vandals, Huns, &c., take 
place 1 Of what did they possess themselves ? What followed t At 
Nha,t time did literature begin to decline'? When was the darkest 
period ■? 

3. What is related respecting these times 1 To what was the learning 
which existed confined 1 

4. What was the state of morals and of Christianity 1 "VYhat was the 
political state of Europe 1 

5 What methods of discovering guilt or innocence were used ? 

6. What was the most considerable empire that existed in Europe 
d^iriag the Middle Ages? What impostor appeared in these Jiges* 
At what period did the Saracens cultivate literature? 

7 "^^1lat ai-e some of the most remai-kable circiunstances wliich char 
•cJoTzed these ages 1 

THE ARABS OR SARACENS. 

1. What is said of the Arabians before the time of Mahomet? 

2. What is related of the Saracens ? 

3. "What is said of the introduction of Christiamty into Arabia ? "WTiat 
kind of Christianitv was it ? 

4. "WTiat is said" of Mahomet? How was the Koran formed? On 
what did IMahomet rely as proofs of his inspiration ? 

5. What were his two leading docti-ines ? What other persons did 
he admit to have been inspired? What did he adopi and retain? To 
what did he chiefly owe his success ? 



37 <^ THE FEUDAL SYSTEM. 

6. How did he propagate his religion, and stimulate his followers . 
What was inculcated as a fundamental doctrine ? What do the Saracena 
tefrm their religion ? 

7. How did Mahomet at first succeed ? Who were his first converts ? 

8. What was he compelled to do ? What is said of his Flight or He- 
gira ? How did he enter Medina ? What was his subsequent career ? 

9. What is said in favor of Mahomet ? What further is said of his 
character ? 

10. By whom was Mahomet pucoeeded ? What is the meaning ol 
caliph ? What is related of Abu-bekir ? Who was his successor ? 

11. What conquests did Omar make ? 

12. What answer did Omar give, when requested to spare the Alex- 
andrian library ? How many volumes did the library contain ? 

13. What did Omar perform in the space of ten years ? By whom 
was he succeeded ? Who was elected after the death of Othman ? What 
is said of him ? 

14. What is related of the progress and extent- of the Saracen empire 

15. For what is the reign of Ali remarkable ? What is said of the 
partisans of Ali ? What of the Sunnites ? Who belong to each ? 

16. To what place did Ali remove the seat of the sovereigns ? To 
what place was it afterwards removed ? What caliphate ranked next to 
that of Bagdad ? What is related of Walid ? 

17. AVhat was the first race of the caliphs styled ? The second ? What 
is related of Almansor ? 

18. What is said of the reign of Haroun al Raschid ? By what did he 
render himself illustrious ? What are to be referred to these times ? 
What sciences were cultivated ? What is said of the successors of Haroun 
al Raschid ? 

19. What took place with respect to Arabia after the seat of govern- 
ment was removed to Bagdad ? 

20. What is remarked of the Saracens and their states ? How did 
Spain, Egypt, Morocco, and India regard the caliph of Bagdad ? 

21. How many caliphs did the house of Abbas furnish? How long 
did Bagdad continue the seat of empire ? When and by whom was the 
caliphate abolished ? 

22. What is said of the immediate successors of Mahomet? What 
were their manners ? How did they proceed after their power was es- 
tablished ? 

23. What is said of the power of the caliphs ? Was there any privi- 
leged order ? By what were they bound to observe the duties of human- 
ity and justice ? What ofl&ce did theirs resemble ? 



THE FEUDAL SYSTEM. 

1. What was the origin of the Feudal System ? By what sovereigns 
was it adopted ? 

2. How did the northern barbarians dispose of their conquered lands ? 
Who had the largest portion ? What were those who received lands 
bound to render ? 

3. How did the courtiers manage ? How is a feudal kingdom described I 

4. What is said of the barons or lords ? 

5. What was the fundamental principle of this system ? What were 
the grantor, and those to whom he made grants, styled ? How was the 
service esteemed ? 

6. What was the condition of the great mass of the people? 

7. Wliat is said of the feudal government ? What did a kingdom re 
eemble ? 



THE CRUSADES. 31(7 

8. What did a kingdom often exhibit? In* what period was puiope 
in a state of anarchy and war ? 

9 AVhat were the principal causes of the overthrow of the Feudal 
System 1 In what countries do relics of it still exist ? 



THE CRUSADES. 

1 What were the Crusades ? What nations engaged in them ? What 
is 1 elated of the Saracens 1 What of the Tm-ks1 What is said of tlie 
d mgers of pilgrimage 1 

2 What is related of Peter the Hermit 1 

3. Wliat course did Pope Urban II. take ? How was the project 
rpened'? Why were these expeditions termed Crusades? What was 
granted to all who devoted themselves to the service 1 

4. "Wliat description of persons took the el-OSS'? What were their 
inducements'? Wliat was done by Peter the Hei-mit? By what was 
Peter's army followed ? "WHiat was their f;ite 1 

5. AVhat is said of the other part of the expedition'? Who were the 
commanders 1 To what did the force amount 1 

6. What did they accomplish? What was the fortune of Godfrey? 

7. How did tlie conquerors divide Syria and Palestine'' What after- 
wards took place ? What was the fate of the army under Hugh ? 

8. By whom was the second crusade preached, and who engaged in it ? 
What was the issue ? 

9. What is related of Saladin? 

10. Who united in the third crasade? What happened to Frederick? 
What is said of the French and English ? 

11. What did Richard peifonn? What happened to him on his re- 
turn? 

12. Who engaged in the fourth crusade ? What was his fortune ? 

13. Wliat was performed by John de Brienne? 

14. Wliat is said of St. Louis IX. ? 

15. What was his success? How did his crasade against the Moors 
terminate ? 

16. To what did the crusades owe their origin ? What is said of them ? 
What character did they assume? What were some of their effects'' 
How many Europeans were buried in the East while they lasted ? What 
became of those who survived ? 

17. Of what beneficial effects were they productive? In what were 
these effects observable ? 

IS, Wiat system prevailed in Europe at this period? What were the 
sijirons wlic engaged in the crusade obliged to do? What was tha 
effect ? Hov did kings raise money ? 

19. What is said of the manners and mode of life that prevailed iu 
Europe ? With what did the crusaders become acquainted in the East ^ 
To ^\hat institutions did the crusades give rise? 

2'D. What was the effect of the crasades on commerce and the arts 1 
Hew had oommerce before this period been canied on ? Wliat changea 
afterwards took place ? 

21. What was the effect of the crasades on literature and religion! 
What is said of the period of their commencement and dm-ation? WbM 
i«)ok place after two centuries of disaster ? 

22. Were these benefits designed by the projectors ? 

32* 



378 CHIVALRt. 



CHIVALRY. 

1. TV hat is said of Chivalry? Wlaat does it constitute with regard te 
the Middle Ages 1 What were its distinguishing features "^ 

2. What is said of the early history of chivalry ? When did it origi- 
nate'? Where were its principles found before"? By what was it ini' 
bodied into form 1 What was the effect of the crusades upon it 1 

3. In what countries did chivalry prevail? 

4. How were the sons of noblemen destined for chivalry disciplined ? 
What was the place of their education? What were their differeRt 
titles ? 

5. How weie they managed? By whom were they surrounled? 
What were they taught ? 

6. What were they taught by the ladies of the castle ? What wera 
Lhey accustomed to do in order that they might have opportunity to prac- 
tise the instructions which they received? 

7. What was the proper age for admission to the honors of knight" 
hood? How did the candidate prepare himself? 

8. What did he do after having performed the preliminary rites ? 

9. What were the insignia of chivalry which he received from the 
knights and the ladies ? In what manner was he dubbed? 

10. What was the most important part of the equipments of a knight? 
What were his weapon and arms ? What was his dress ? 

1 1 . What virtues and endowments were necessary to form an accom 
plished knight ? 

12. In what estimation was chivalry held ? What did one become on 
being dubbed? What had he a right to do ? 

13. What was he authorized to do ? How did he proceed in relation 
to his mistress ? What was the injunction of a sovereign when he led 
his army to the attack ? 

14. What is said of the influence of chivalry on the female sex? What 
was the duty of the knights with regard to the ladies ? 

15. What is said of the behavior of a knight with regard to the fair 
Bex. ^ 

16. Of what were the knights and ladies ambitious ? 

17. What vii*tues did chivalry enjoin? How was a chevalier treated 
on entering the castle of another ? If he arrived wounded, how was he 
received ? 

18. What were the favorite amusements and exercises of the knights "^ 
What does Hallam say of the tournaments ? 

19. What is said of the reward of the victor? 

20. Wliat is said of the influence of chivalry ? What effects are men 
tioned ? 

21. With what did chivalry rise and fall? What put an end both to 
the feudal system and to chivalry ? 

22. What does Dr. Robertson say of the exploits of the knights, and 
of the effects of chivalry ? During what centuries were the elTtiCts of 
chivalry most felt ? 

23. What is said of the morals of chivalry ? What productions afford 
evidence of dissolute morals ? 

24. What was professed and what performed by the knights ? What 
did chivalry nourish ? To what did it give birth ? 

25. To whom is the original of the duel traced ? How far did it pre- 
vail among the Germans, Danes, and Franks ? 

26. What is related respecting its regulations ? Tor what purpose was 
\t then resorted to ? For what end is it now practised 1 



FRANCE. 379 



MODERN HISTORY. 

1. What different periods have been adopted for the commencement 
nf Modern History ? 

2. What is the most convenient method in treating of the history of 
thj several European States ? What European sovereignty traces its ori- 
gin further back than the 9th century? 

3. What is said of the period that succeeded the downfall of the Eastem 
Empire ? What do we see on casting an eye back to this pei-iod 1 

4. What were some of the causes of the beneficial changes "? 

5 What is said of the Hanse Towns ? When was the League formed, 
»nd what towns were associated ? Where were its depots ? 

6. When was the League most flourishing 1 Wliat is said of its de- 
cline ? 

7. Wlien had Venice, Genoa, and Pisa the management of European 
commerce 1 What states took the lead in the maritime discoveries of the 
15th and IGth centuries ? 

8. By what states have Spain and Poi-tugal been succeeded in maritime 
enterprise ? 

9. What are now the most powerful European States 1 What are the 
countrie." of which the history is most important to Americans f 



FRANCE. 
Section L 

1. What is said of the history of France and of England? How long 
did the kings of England liold possessions in France ? 

2. Who were the ancestors of the French ? Wliat did ancient Gaul 
comprehend ? By whom and when was it conquered ? From what 
people did it receive its modern name 1 

3. What is related of the Franks ? What is the first race of French 
kings styled ? Who is regarded as the founder of the monarchy 1 What 
did he perform 1 

4. What is said of the Merovingian kings ? What is related of Pepin 
d'Heristel and Charles Martel ? 

5. How did Pepin obtain the crown '^ Of what race of kings waa he 
the founder 1 How did Pepin reward the pope "? 

6. By whom was Pepin succeeded f 

7. What is related of Charlemagne 1 When was he crowned Emperoi 
af the West? What did his empire comprise? 

8. What is said of Charlemagne's services to literature? How did 
DC manifest his zeal for religion ? 

9. "Wliat is related of his private character and habits ? 

10. By whom was Charlemagne succeeded? What great battle wa# 
fought by the rival brothers ? What division of the empire followed ? 

11. By whom was Charles the Bald succeeded? Who was elected 
after the short reign of his sons, Louis HI. and Carloman? What event 
followed ? 

12. To whom was the crovm next given? What took place during 
the reign of Charles the Simple ? 

13. What took place during the reigns of Louis IV. and Lothairef 
What is related of Hugh Capet ? 



360 FIIAWCE. 



Section II. 

1. By waoni was Hugh Capet succeeded? 

2. What law was enacted during the reign of Henry 1. 1 

3. By what was the reign of Philip I. signalized? What may bt 
dated from the invasion of France by William the Conqueror ? 

4. What is said of Louis VI. 1 

5. What three eminent men flourished during the reign of Louis VI 1 

6. What act of violence did Louis perform ? To what did the remorse 
which he felt give rise ? 

7 Who was the wife of Louis, and what is related of her 1 

8. What is said of Philip Augustus ? How did he signalize the com 
mencement of his reign ? 

9. Of what did Philip accuse John, king of England, and of what dij 
he deprive him 1 

10. By whom was Philip succeeded ? 

IL What is said of Louis IX.? For what was he distinguished 
What was his principal weakness ? 

12. By whom was St. Louis succeeded ? What event took place during 
his reign ? 

13. What is said of Philip IV. ? How was he involved in a quarrel 
with Pope Boniface ? 

14. What took place after the death of Boniface ? What is the re- 
moval of the seat ot the papacy to Avignon called? What other acta 
did Philip perform ? 

15. By whom was Philip succeeded? For what was the reign of Philip 
V noted? 

Section III 

1. What is said of the children of Philip the Fair? On whom did 
the throne devolve after the death of Charles the Fair ? 

2. Who claimed the crown ? To what did this claim of Edward give 
rise ? WTiat did Edward perform ? What favorable event happened to 
Philip in the midst of his misfortunes ? 

3. By whom was Philip succeeded, and what happened to him ? 

4. Who next ascended the throne? What measures did Charles V. 
adopt, and what was perfoimed '^ 

5. Wliat is said of Charles ? How large a library did he collect ? 

6. By whom was Charles V. succeeded ? What is said of him and of 
his reign ? Who was his queen ? 

7. What advantages did Henry V. of England gain ? 

8. Who next succeeded to the throne? What place did the Englisfl 
besiege, and with what success ? 

9. By whom was the power of England overthrown ? Who was this 
heroine ? 

10. How did she execute her exploit ? How did Charles succeed 1 
What course did Joan then take, and what was her fate ? 

11. What was the success of the French? What is further related 
of Charles? 

12. What is said of the character and reign of Louis XI. ? 

13. In what war was he involved with the nobles ? 

14. What is said of Charles VIII. ? In what expedition did he en 
gage? 



FRANCE. 381 



Section IV 



1. By whom was Charles VIII. succeeded ■? What was the character 
of Louis XII. What did he say with respect to those ministers who had 
treated him ill before he came to the throne ? 

2. What is related of his exploits and success 1 

■ 3. Wliat is said of the republic of Venice % Who projected the League 
of Cambray against it ? What was the issue ? 

4. Wliat victory did the French gain? What took place after the 
dcatb of Gaston dc Foix? 

5. Who succeeded Louis XII.? What is said of Francis? 

6. For wliat were Francis and Charles rival candidates? Wliat lid 
Francis say with respect to the object of competition ? 

7. WTiat was the issue, and how did it affect the two rivals ? 

8. For what is the reign of Charles V. distinguished? What is said 
ol' Charles and other contemporary sovereigns ? 

9. What was the commencement of the contest between the two rivals'* 
What is related respecting the Constable of Bourbon ? What happened 
to the king of France at Pavia "^ 

10. What course did Charles take with regard to Francis? What did 
the French king do after being set at liberty ? What is said of the con- 
duct of the Uvo sovereigns ? 

1 1 . How did the two monarchs treat each other, when they met at 
Aigues Mortes, after having been at war for 20 years? What afterwards 
took place ? 

12. What was the occasion of the renewal of the war? What was 
the issue ? 

1.3. How did Francis leave his kingdom? What did he patronize? 
What did the French court acf|uire at this period ? 

14. Wliat qualities did Francis possess? What was his character? 

15. Who was the successor of Francis, and what is 'aid of Henry II.? 
What is said of his reign? What great events took place during this 
war? 

16. How was this war terminated? By what other events was the 
reign of Henry signalized ? 

17. Who was the successor of Henry? Who succeeded Francis 11.? 

18. What was now the state of Protestantism in France? 

19. Who was at the head of the Catholics? For what pm-pose was 
the conspiracy of Amboise formed ? What was the issue of it ? 

20. What public conference was held? What edict was published? 
What followed? 

21. What is said of the contest? What is said of the treaty of peace? 

22. What is related respecting the marriage of Henry of Navarre? 
What massacre was planned? What is related respecting the massacre 
on St. Bartholomew's day? 

23. How manv are said to have been murdered? What does De 
Thoasay of it? " 

24. What is related respecting Charles ? 

25. What was done at Rome on hearing the news? What is furthei 
said of Charles and his reign ? 

26. By whom was Charles succeeded? What was the effect of the 
massacre of St. Bartholomew? What did Henry do for the Protestants? 
What course did the Catholics take ? 

27. What measure was the king persuaded to adopt? How did ha 
find himself situated, and what did he do ? What was the consequence « 



382 FRANCK 

Section V. 

1. To whom did the throne pass after the death of Henry UI ? Wha4 
is said of the mother of Henry IV., and of himself ? 

2. What is said of the army of the League ? In what battle did 
Henry defeat it ? 

8. Why did Henry change his religion ? What followed 7 What did 
he do in favor of the Calvanists ? 

4. To what did Henry turn his attention after beiag quietly seated 
on the throne ? By whom was he assisted ? What change was effected ? 

5. What romantic scheme did Henry form? What happened to him 
before he executed his design ? 

6. What is said of the character of Henry ? What was his reply 
when asked what the revenue of France amounted to ? 

7. What were the defects of his character ? How many persons were 
killed in duels during the first eighteen years of his reign ? 

8. By whom was Henry succeeded ? What is said of Mary de Medi- 
eis ? What is related of Cardinal Richelieu, his policy, and objects ? 

9. What course did the Protestants take ? What measure did Kiche 
lieu adopt ? What was the issue ? 

10. What is further related respecting the proceedings of Richelieu ? 
By whom was a rebellion excited ? What did Richelieu effect ? 

11. What is said of the character of Louis ? 

12. Who next succeeded to the throne ? Who was chosen minister ? 
What is said of Mazarin ? By what was his administration signalized ? 

13. What took place after the death of Mazarin? What is related 
of Louis and his exploits ? 

14. Who were some of his chief men in the cabinet and in the field ? 

15. What success did Louis meet with ? What is related respecting 
the two devastations of the Palatinate 1 

16. What events afterwards took place? What were the consequences 
of Louis's conquests and of his ambition ? 

17. What states united against him in the League of Augsburg? 
What alliance was formed in 1701? Against whom had the armies of 
Louis now to contend? What victories did Marlborough and Piince 
Eugene gain ? 

18. Wliat was one of the worst measures of Louis? What was done 
by this act ? What did France lose by it ? 

19. How long was the reign of Louis ? What is said of it ? 

20. Wliat is said of the person and manners of Louis ? 

21. What is said of his talents and character? What did he patron- 
iie, and how is Ms reign regarded ? 

Section VI. 

1. Who succeeded Louis XIV. ? For what is the regency of the Duke 
i Orleans remarkable ? 

2. Whom did Louis XV. choose for his minister after coming of age ' 
fThat is said of the administration of Fleury ? 

3. In what war was France involved after the death of Fleury ? Who 
were the two claimants for the imperial throne? By whom were they 
supported ? Where were the French defeated, and what battle did they 
gain? How were hostilities terminated ? 

4. What war bioke out in 1775 ? How was it terminated? How wag 
the remainder of ulis reign chiefly occupied ? 

5. Wliat is said of Louis ? What title was conferred upon him by his 
subjects ? What induced them to retract it ? What is further said of 
him and his reign ? 



FRANCE. 388 

6. Who succeeded to the throne? What is said of Loxig XVI.' 
What were the dilKcultics of his situation "? 

7. What was one of his first measui-esi Who were appointed to 
office ■? What was tlie effect ? 

8. "^Hiat is said of Necker ? What followed after he was displaced I 

9. What took place after the war broke out between Great Britain and 
her American colonies ? What was the state of affairs after the rctuiii 
of peace 1 

10. What were some of the principal causes of the French Revohition * 
What was the more immediate cause ? 

11. What measure did Louis adopt by the advice of Calonne? What 
was proposed to the Assembly of the Notables ? How did they receive it ? 

12. By whom was Calonne succeeded? What body was next as sem 
bled ? Of what orders was the States General composed ? 

13. What did Necker propose respecting the States General? What 
was the result ? 

14. How did the king address the States General ? What difficulties 
arose ? 

15. What measure did the commons adopt ? Who were leading mem- 
bers in the National Assembly? 

16. Wliat is said of their measures? In what situation were the king 
and nobility placed ? 

17. What is said of the dismissal of Necker? What outrages were 
committed ? '\\1iat is said of the king and royal family ? 

18. What is said of the progress of the revolution and changes which 
were effected ? 

19. Wliat was the next great design of the Assembly? What is related 
of Louis ? What of the constitiition ? 

20. What was the next Assemblv styled ? What is related of the Jaco- 
bin Club? 

21. What new body next met? What was done at their first sitting ^ 
What is related respecting the king ? 

22. What were some of the remarks of Deseze in defence of Louis ? 

23. By what majority was the king condemned? What is further 
related of him ? 

Section Vn. 

1. When was the constitution completed, and in what was the executive 
power now lodged? Wliat is the domination of Robespierre and his 
associates styled ? Wliat two parties arose in the National Convention ? 
Who were the leaders ? 

2. What did the Mountain party do ? What is related of the Dak« 
of Orleans? 

3. To what further excesses did the Convention proceed ? What was 
done to the churches ? 

4. HcAV was the Convention divided anew ? What followed ? In what 
was the executive power aftenvards vested ? How many constitutions 
were formed fiom 1791 to 1799? In whom was the executive power 
vested bv the fourth ? 

5. "Wliat was the French Revolution at first ? What did it become ? 
What change did it effect ? 

6. What course was taken by many of the nobility and clergy before 
the execution of the king ? What was the effect? Of Avhat was this the 
origin ? "V^hat states declared war against France after the death of the 
king ? 

7. What is said of the Duke of Brunswick? 

8 What was he issue of the invasion? What advantages did Fraoce 



84 FRANCE. 

gain? To whom was the command of the army in Italy given 1 Whal 
did Bonaparte accomplish 1 

9. When was the Second Coalition formed 1 What had Bont.parta 
done before this event 1 

10. What advantages were gained over the French in 1799'? What 
did Bonaparte do at this crisis ■? 

1 1 . What change now took place in the affairs of France ? 

12 What achievements did Bonaparte then perform? To what events 
did the victories of Marengo and Hohenlinden lead ? 

13. What is said of the limits of France and power of Bonaparte? 
What measure did the Convention adopt with regard to religion 1 

14. To what office was Bonaparte now raised ? By whom was a con- 
spiracy formed against him ? What became of the conspirators 1 What 
?7ere Bonaparte's next elevations 1 

15. Wlien and by what powers was the Third Coalition formed'^ Wliat 
iourse did Bonaparte then take, and with what success 1 What followed 
he victory of Austcrlitz 1 

1 6. What victoiy was gained by Lord Nelson a little before the battle 
'f Austsrlitz; 1 

17. AMnit course did Bonaparte take with regard to Naples and Hoi 
\=ind ■? What with respect to the German empire 1 Wliat was done 
^ y Francis II. f What electors did Bonaparte raise to the rank of kings ? 

18. How and by whom was the Fourth Coalition formed? What 
battles did Bonaparte gain "? What did he do on entering the capital of 
Prussia? "Wliat other battle did the French anny gain? 

19. What were the next proceedings of Bonaparte? What treaties 
were made with Russia and Piatssia? What was done with the provinces 
conquered from Prussia ? 

20. What course did the British government take in retaliation of the 
Berlin Decree ? What was done by the emperor after the peace of Tilsit ? 

21. How did Bonaparte seem to be aif'ected by his success? What did 
he do respecting Spain and Portugal ? 

22. How did he dispose of the throne of Spain ? 

23. AVhat part did the Spaniards take? How long did the war last? 
Who commanded the forces of England and Spain? What were some 
of the ])iincipal exploits ? 

24. With what empire was France again involved in war? Wliat sue 
cesses did Bonaparte gain ? 

25. To what terms was the emperor of Austria compelled to submit 
by the treaty of Vienna? What followed in consequence of this treaty? 
• 26. To what did Alexander accede by the treaty of Tilsit, and what 
were its consequences ? How was the year 1811 spent? What measures 
did Bonaparte adopt? 

27. Wliither did he direct his march? What events followed ? Why 
was Moscow burnt? 

28. How did this transaction affect Bonaparte, and what had he ex 
peered ? What course was he compelled to adopt ? 

29. What is said of his retreat ? What losses were sustained ? 

30. What course did the French emperor pursue? How large an anny 
did he now raise ? By what was he oi)posed ? 

31. What were the next events ? What is said of the battle of Leip 
sic? 

32. Wliat course did Bonapai'te now take? What was done by the 
Allies ? 

33. What measure was Bonaparte now compelled to adopt, and whal 
place was fixed upon for his residence ? Wliat followed ? 

34. For what purpose was the Congress of Vienna assembled ? Whal 
did Bonaparte now undertake ? How did he proceed ? What is said of 
his progress ? 



FRANCE. '■ 

S5. What measures did he take to strengthen his authority '^ 

36. What was done by the Congress of Vienna 1 What events followed ' 

37. What is said of the battle of Waterloo ? What course did Bona 
parte now take? What was done with him by the allied sovereigns' 
vVhen did Bonaparte die, and at what age 1 ^ 

38. AVhat is said of the career of Bonaparte? At what age was he 
raised to his several elevations ? What is said of his power 1 

39. Why may ho be called a king-maker ■? What is remarked of the last 
four kings ? 

40. AVliat' did he unite in his own person? What is said of his deeds • 
For what u France indebted to him ? 

11. Of what beneficial measures was he the author? What was hia 
ruling passion ? What is said of his opportunity of being useful ? What 
Jii he choose to be ? 

42. What is further said of him and his career ? 



Section VIII. 

1 What took pKce after the second dethronement of Bonaparte ? What 
measures were taken in relation to France ? What relating to the officers 
who sided with Bonaparte ? 

2. What is said of Louis XVIII., his situation, and policy ? What was 
one of the principal events of his reign ? 

3. Who succeeded Louis XVIII. ? What is said of him ? 

4. By what enterprises was his reign distinguished ? 

5. What is said of the contests of parties ? What course did Charles 
take? 

6. "What was done by the Chamber of Deputies ? What events followed, 
and what measures were adopted ? 

7. What occurrences then took place ? 

8. Wliat course did the citizens take ? Wlio commanded the National 
Guards ? What was done by the Chambers ? 

9. What became of Charles ? 

10. Wliat is said of Louis Philippe ? What was his course ? Who 
were some of his ministers? 

11. What is said of his foreign policy, and of the condition of France 
during his reign? What is further said of him, and of his fate? 

12. What was the most considerable foreign achievement? 

13. Wliat is said of tlie state of the country and the feeling of the lowei 
classes ? What is said of these classes ? 

14. What classes were favored by the government? Wliat did these 
cllsses do for the government? 

15 What is said of the system of obtaining venal support ? With what 
was the government cliarged ? AVliat were other causes of dissatisfaction ? 

16. To whom were these offeasive measures ascribed ? What impres- 
sioTi gained ground among the people ? 

17. What occurrence promoted discontent? Wliat course did the oppo- 
2t'nts of the government take ? 

18. When was a RefoiTn Banquet proposed to be held in Paris? What 
course did the king's ministers take? What was the result? 

19. What took place on the day the banquet was to have been held ? 
What was done by the people ? 

20. What was done on the two following days ? What was done by tha 
sing, and by Guizot \ 

21. What course was taken by .he insurgents ? What followed ? 

22 What was done by the "provisional government ■* What decrees 
were issued ? 

33 



386 ENGLAND 

23. What was done by the National Assembly 1 

24. What took place in June ? What followed 1 

25. What was done by the National Assembly, after a session »f £U( 
months ? For what does the constitution provide ? 

26. Who was elected President ? By how many votes ? What is sfdd 
of Louis Napoleon ? For what has he been chiefly distinguished 1 

27. When did a new National Assembly commence a session ? How 
have elections resulted 1 What has been the course of the government ? 

28. Wliat took place, in 1848, at Rome ? What was done by the French ^ 
What did the French army accompUsh 1 



Cheonological Table of Feench Histoet. — No. 1 

Who were the first two kings of the Carlovingian Race 1 
Who was the first of the Capetian Race "? Of the Branch of Valcis T 
When did Charlemagne begin to reign'? Hugh Capet? St. Louis 1 
Philip VI. ? Francis L 1 
What is said of Pepin and his reign 1 Charlemagne 1 &c. 



Cheonological Table of Feench History. — No. 2. 

Who was the first king of the House of Bourbon ? 

When did Hemy IV. begin to reign? Louis XIV.? Louis XVI. 1 
Bonaparte ? Louis XVIII. ? Louis Philippe ? 
When did Louis Napoleon become President of the republic of France ? 
When was France first declared a republic ? When the last time ? 
What is said of Hemy IV. and his reign ? Louis XUI. ? &c. 



ENGLAND. 
• Section L 

1 . What is said of the history of England ? 

2. What conflicts have been maintained in England ? 

3. Why is the history of England interesting to the citizens of the United 
States ? 

4. Why do we feel an interest in the conflicts which civil and religious 
liberty has had with despotism and bigotry in England ? 

5. \\Tien iid Julius Caesar invade Britain? Who defeated Caractacusl 
By whom was the Roman dominion completely established ? 

6. ^Vliat sort of people were the Britons at the time of the conquest? 
What were their habits and their religion ? 

7 What three walls did the Romans build across Britain ? When did 
they entirely abandon the country ? 

3. By whom was the southern part of the island afterwards invaded ' 
To whom did the Britons apply for assistance? What was the result? 

9. What course did the Saxons take ? From whom is the name of Eng- 
land derived ? 

10. "WTiat is related of Ai-thur ? How long did the Heptarchy subsist ! 
Wlio united the seven kingdoms into one monarchy ? 

11. How was Christianity introduced? What was the state of society ' 



ENGLAND. ^7 



^ Section II. 

1. What is related of the Danes ? 

2. What is said of Alfred and of his contest with the Dimes'? What 
was he compelled to do ? 

3. What stratagem did he use? What was his success? 

4 How did he employ himself after ti-anquillity was restored ? What 
taeasm-es are atnibuted to him? 
5. What is said of the character of Alfred ? 
6- By whom was he succeeded ? WTiat is said of Edward ? 
7 Whrtt is related of Athelstan ? 

8. What is related of Edmund ? Of Edred ? Of Dunstan ? 

9. WTiat is mentioned of Edwy or Edwin? 

10. For what is the reign of Edgar remarkable ? 

11. By whom was Edgar succeeded ? What is said of Edward? 

12. What outrage was committed by Ethelred that exasperated the 
Danes ? 

13. What did the Danes accomplish ? Who succeeded Ethelred ? 

14. Wliat took place after the death of Sweyn ? What did Canute ac- 
complish ? What is said of him ? 

15. Wliat two other Danish kings succeeded to the throne ? 

16. Who was then raised to the throne? What is said of Edward? 
With what privilege was he said to be favored ? How long was the prac- 
tice of touching for the king's evil, by the English kings, continued ? 

17. To whom did Edward bequeathe the crown? \Vho was elected by 
the nobility ? 

18. What did William resolve to do? What followed ? What losses 
were sustained ? What was the issue ? 



Section HI. 

1. What is said of William ? What does Mr. Burke say of him ? 

2. In what way did he disgust the English ? What changes did he in- 
troduce ? 

3. What did he do by his forest laws ? How did he form the New For- 
est ? What was one of the most useful acts of his reign ? 

4. What is said of William II. and his reign ? 

5. In what way did Henry I. obtain the croMTi? What more did he du 
lespecting his brother ? 

6. How were the Saxon and Norman families united? Wha' affl.'.ction 
did Henry suffer, and what is said of him ? 

7. Who was the rightful heir to the crown after the death of HeL.r/'' 
Who usurped the throne ? Wh&t followed ? 

8. What was done by Hemy ? What followed ? What i& saiJ erf Ste 
phcn's 1 eign ? 



Section IV. 

1. What is said of Henry II. ? Why is he called Shorutadde » WLa;i 
did he possess besides England ? 

2. By what had the countries of Europe been agitated ' WLefl did this 
contest reach its height ? What is said of Thomas a Becket ? 

3. What is said oif the power of the clergy ? What of their morals ? 

4. What did Henry resolve to do ? What course did he adopt 1 Wliat 



388 ENGLAND. 

was enacted m these Constitutions ? What was Becket's course ? WhaJ 
was said ))y Henry 1 What was the consequence ? 

5 . What was the effect of this transaction 1 What was done by the Pope " 
What followed 1 * 

6. What penance did Henry do for his offence? What became of the 
assa.ssins 1 

7. What is said of the latter part of Henry's reign 1 What is said of his 
Bons ? 

8 . What is related of Queen Eleanor ? What alienated the queen 1 

9 What is said of Henry's attachment to his children 1 What did he do 
when he found that his son John had joined the confederacy against him ' 

10. What i.3 said of the character of Henry 1 

1 1 . For what is his reign remarkable "? What is related respecting the 
arts and conveniences of life 1 

12. What is related respecting the magnificence of Becket? 

13. How did Richard I. commence his reign 1 With whom did he unite 
m a crusade ? What was achieved ? 

14. What happened to him as he was returning home ? How was he 
ransomed 1 

15. What has Richard been styled, and what is said of him ? 

16. Wlaat crime is John, Richard's brother and successor, supposed to 
have committed 1 What course did Philip Augustus of France take? 
What followed ? 

1 7 . What is related of Pope Innocent III. 1 In what way did John make 
peace 1 

18. Wliat was done by the barons ? What followed ? What is said of 
Magna Charta 1 What other charter did the king grant 1 

19. What is said of John and his reign 1 

20. What is said of Henry III- and liis reign ? 

21. What is said respecting the cause of freedom and the prosperity of 
the nation ? v 

22. What was done by the barons ? What measiu-e did the twenty-four 
barons adopt? 

23. What was the effect of this measure? WTiere did Leicester defeat 
the royal army 1 Wliat did he aftei-wards do ? Of what was his summon- 
ing deputies from the principal boroughs the commencement? 

24. What did Prince Edward perform ? Wliat was the issue ? 

25. What did Edward I. do to the Jews ? "VATiat did he afterwards ac- 
complish ? What did he create his eldest son ? 

26. What effect had the conquest of Wales on Edward? What took 
place with regard to Scotland ? 

27. "Wliat took place in consequence of Baliol's renouncing his allegiance? 
Wliat did Edward accomplish ? 

28. Whc roused the Scots to recover their independence ? What was 
Ihe issue? What happened to Wallace? Who was the second Scotcb 
champion ? Wliat further was done by Edward ? 

29. "What is said of Edward ? Wnat of his reign ? "What important 
clause did he add to Magna Charta ? 

30 What enterprise did Edward II. undertake? "Wliat was the issue? 

31. What is said of Edward? How was his reign characterized? 

32. What is said of Isabella ? What was done to the king ? 

33. "Wlio had the chief control dm-ing the minority of Edward III 1 
Wliat is said of Edward on his coming of age ? What became of Mortimer 
and Isabella ? 

34. "What victory did Edward gain over the Scots ? "What measure did 
oe adopt with regard to France ? 

3 > What naval victory did he gain ? 



ENGLAND. ?>P9 

36. What account is priven of the battle of Cressy ? For wLat is ihi? 
battle memorable ? What further advantage did he gain ? 

37. What took place in England while Edward was in France? 

38. What account is given of the battle of Poictiers"? What was done 
with King John ? 

39. What is said of Edward in the latter part of his reign ? What ia 
mentioned of the Black Prince and of Charles V. of France 1 Wliaf is 
said of the dcatli of the Black Prince 1 

40. Wliat is said of Edward and liis reign '^ What is said of his wars 1 

41. Wliat is mentioned respecting chivalry in this reign? 

42. "What 13 said of liichard II. ? To whom was the administration of 
the government inti-usted during his minority ? What is said of John of 
Gatint ? 

43. What tax was imposed, and what was its effect? What is related 
respecting a tax-gatherer ? Wliat events followed ? 

44. WTiat account is given of the battle of Otterbum ? What ballad is 
founded on this battle ? 

4.5. What did Richard do respecting his cousin Henry ? How did Henry 
revenge himself? What became of the king ? 

46. Wlio was tlie ti-ue lieir to the crown ? What contests followed this 
transaction ? What is said of Chaucer ? 



Section V. 

1. What is said of Henry's situation? What account is given ot the 
oattle of Shrewsbury ? 

2. "Wliat was supposed respecting Heniy while a subject ? How did he 
proceed after he came to the throne ? 

3. What is said of Henry and liis reign ? 

4. By what was the latter part of his life imbittered? What is related 
of the Prince of Wales ? 

5. What did the king say respecting the circumstance ? 

6. Wliat course did Henry "V". take on succeeding to the throne ? Wlial 
is said of this conduct ? 

7. "Wliat account is given of Sir John Oldcastle ? 

8. In what war did Henry engage, and what battle did he gain ? What 
was the loss of the French ? "What followed ? 

9. Vt^'hat is said of the reign and character of Henry? 

10. At what age was Henry "VI. proclaimed king of England and France? 
To whom was his education intrusted, and who were protectors of his do- 
minions ? 

11. "WTiat is related of Charles VII. and his success ? 

12. What is said of Henry on coming of age ? "Whom did he marry ? 
Whal is said of her? 

13. What is related of Jack Cade's rebellion ? 

14. "What is mentioned respecting the Duke of Glouceste: ? What was 
the consequence of his death ? 

15. What was the origin of the Houses of York and Lancaster? How 
were the parties distinguished, and what were the wars styled ? 

16. What is related of this quarrel? 

17. In what battles were the Lancastrians defeated? "What was done 
by tliD qm en ? "What did the son and successor of the Duke of York acs- 
roinp'ish! 

33* 



380 - ENGLAND 



Section VI. 

1. What battlj took place between the two pai-ties, soon after Edward 
IV. was raised to the throne 1 How many were slain ? What became of 
Henry ? 

2. What became of the queen ? What is related of her deliverance by a 
robber ? 

3. By whom had the House of York been hitherto supported 1 Wh/.* 
course did the Earl of Warwick take in consequence of Edward's offend'ii£ 
him ? What followed ? 

4. What was the issiie of the battle of Bamet 1 Of Tewkshury ? Wait.* 
became of the queen and her son 1 

5. What course did Edward afterwards pursue ? What did he do to his 
brother, the Duke of Clarence *? What is said of him ? 

6. WTio succeeded to the throne ? What is related of Richard Duke of 
Gloucester f What was done mth the young princes 1 

7. In whom did Richard III. find an avenger ? What followed 1 What 
was the effect of the battle of Bosworth 1 

8. What is said of the character and person of Richard ''■ 



Section Vil. 

1. How did Henry VII. strengthen hj& claim to the crown 1 What was 
Henry's descent 1 What is said of the 'i''tidor family 1 

2. What was the policy of Henry 1 What was attempted by Lambe/t 
Simnel ? What by Perkin Warbeck 1 What is said of him 1 

3. To what did the adventm-ers aspiie 1 What was the destiny of Sim 
Dvjl 1 What of Perkin "? Who was executed near the same time 1 

4. Wliat is said of the character and habits of Henry 1 What did he ac 
cumulate by his frugality and exactions 1 

5. What is said of his reign ? What was the effect of his regulations ? 

6. What was the consequence of his permitting the nobles to alienate 
their lands ? What was the commencement of the English navy ? 

7. What advantages had Henry VIII. on succeeding to the throne? 

8. What was the character which he developed 1 What does Sir Walter 
Raleigh say of him ? 

9. What is said of his government ? What of his ministers f 

10. What became of the treasures which he inherited? What were the 
military operations of his reign ? 

11. How did he obtain the title of Defender of the Eaith ? 

12. What are the most memorable transactions of his reign ? Who waa 
his first wife ? What is said of this connection ? 

13. What is related of Cardinal Wolsey in relation to this matter ? 

14. What course was taken to disannul the marriage 1 What afterwards 
took place in England ? 

15. What is remarked respecting the separation of England from the 
Church of Rome ? What course did Henry now pursue 1 Who were be 
headed for refusing to acknowledge his supremacy ? 

16. What was the fate of Anne Boleyn? Who were Henry's other 
queens, and what was their destiny 7 

17. What three children did Heniy leave ? Who succeeded him ? What 
[s said of his reign ? What is said of the Reformation ? 

1 8. What is related of Edward ? To whom did he bequeathe the crown « 

19. By whom was Edward succeeded ? What is said of Mary 1 
80. What is related of Jane Grey and her husband 't 



ENGLAND. 391 

SI. What message did Jane Grey send to her insband en the day of 
»er execution t 

22. What course was taken with regard to religion? Who were some 
of the most eminent martyrs 1 What effect was produced by these pro- 
ceedings ? 

23. To whom was Mary married? What happened in the last year 
of her reign ? Wliat is related respecting Iier death 1 

24. IIow was the accession of Elizabetli received? What is said of 
ner reign ? By what names was it illustrated ? 

25. What is related of the changes with respect to religion ? Of 9,000 
clergymen, how many gave up their preferments on the accession of 
Klizabeth ? 

26 With what is Elizabeth charged in her treatment of Mary, Queen 
of Scots ? Who was Mary ? What had she been persuaded to do ? 

27. What had taken place at the period of Mary's return to Scotland? 

28. What is related of Mary's second and third man-iages? Whit 
effect did her conduct produce ? 

29. What course did IMary then take ? What was her fate ? 

30. How did Elizabeth offend Philip II. of Spain? How did he at- 
tempt to avenge himself? 

31. Of what did the Armada consist? By what force and what com- 
manders was it met ? What was the result ? 

32. By what eminent statesmen was Elizabeth assisted? Who were 
her chief personal favorites ? 

33. Wliat is said of the close of her life? To what has her unhappiness 
been ascribed? 'VVTiat anecdote is related respecting Essex? 

34. What is said of Elizabeth and her public character ? What were 
her three leading maxims of policy ? What is further said of her reign 
and character? 

35. What is said of her private character, manners, &c. ? 



Section VIII. 

1. Whom did Elizabeth nominate for her successor? What title did 
a.ames assume ? What is said of the Stuart family ? 

2. What conspiracy was formed against James ? What is related of 
ffj Walter Raleigh ? 

3. What was the design of the Gunpowder Plot? Who was taken 
with matches in his pocket ? 

4. What was James's characteristic weakness? Who were his chief 
favorites ? 

5. When did the Puritans first make their appearance? For what 
were they advocates? Were their hopes realized on the accession of 
James ? What settlement did they begin ? 

6. What was James's leading characteristic? What was his favor- 
ite topic ? What was the best part of his character ? 

7. What is said of his private character, talents, and manners 1 What 
does Bishop Burnet say of him ? 

8. What circumstances had conspired to diffuse the spirit of liberty ? 
How was the current of public opinion directed ? 

9. Under what circumstances did Charles I. ascend the throne? "WTiat 
was the state of feeling of many of his subjects ? Of what did he soon 
give proof? Whom, did he marry ? 

10. Why did Charles visit Madrid? What was the result? Why 
was Charles offended with the Parliament? What course did he pnrsnel 

11. What taxes did he lew? How was the tax of ship-money levied! 
Wliat di"d Charles claim ? What is said of this tax ? 



392 ENGLAND. 

12. WTio opposed this tax? How was the cause decided ? 

13. Who were Charles's chief counsellors after the assassination 
Buckingliam 1 What course did Laud pursue 1 

14. What measure did the kinj? undertake Math respect to Scotland 1 
Whai; effect did it produce ? What took place at one of the churches 
in Edinhm-gh 1 

15. What success did the prelates meet with in other parts? What 
is said of the^National Covenant ? Wliat other bond was formed ? 

16. Wlien, after eleven yeai-s' intermission, the king convoked a Par' 
liament, what measures did the House of Commons adopt 1 What was 
dene by a Parliament aftenvards assembled? 

17. How had Charles already violated the privileges of Parliament? 
Into what act of greater indiscretion was he afterwards beti-ayed ? Wtat 
answer did Lenthal, the Speaker, make, when the king ordered him to 
point out the five men ? 

18. How did the king then proceed? What was now the feeling of 
the Parliament towards him ? 

1 9. By whom, in the civil war, was *he cause of the king supported 1 
By whom that of the Ptirliament? What were the supporters of each 
styled ? 

20. What formed the characteristic of most of the leaders in Pat lia- 
ment? On whom did the charge of license and excess chiefly fall? 
What is remarked by Mr. Baxter ? 

21. How long was it since England had been but little engaged in 
war? Who were the chief commanders in the roj^al army? Who in 
the Pai-liamentaiy army? What two men were killed in an early part 
of the contest? In what battles had the royalists the advantage? la 
what ones were they defeated ? 

22. What happoued to the king? What measure was adopted re- 
specting Jiim ? What sentence was passed ? 

2.3 What is said of Charles on this occasion, and how did he conduct 
himself? 

24. What lesson does the fate of Charles funiish? "What is said of 
the feelings of the people respecting his execution ? What has been tho 
effect of it on his reputation ? 

25. What were the misfortunes of Charles's condition? What was 
his greatest defect ? 

26. What is said of his talents, private character, and manners ? 

27. AVhat is said of the proceedings of Charles? What i-^es Mi. 
Hume say respectmg tne Puritans? 

28. What is said of those who opposed the king? 

29. What measures were adopted after the death of the king ? 

30. What was done respecting episcopacy? Who soon after gained 
the ascendency? T& what body was the power transferred from the 
Parliament ? Of whom was that part of the Parliament called the Rump 
composed? 

31. What coitrse was adopted by the Parliament of Scotland? Where 
did Cromwell defeat the royalist Covenanters ? What accoimt is given 
of the battle of Worcester ? 

32. What adventures did young; Charles meet with ? 

33. "WTiat is said of the Navig;ation Act? Of what war was this act 
the cause ? How did this war t<;nninate, and who took a distinguished 
part in it ? 

34. How many years had tlie Long Parliament been in .session* 
What course did it adopt ? Wliat did CromweU resolve upon ? What 
did he do while in a council of cfficers ? 

35. What was his next proceeding ? 

36. In what manner was the Littlp. Parliament assembled? Wliat U 
caid of it ^ 



ENGLAND. 393 

57. What title did Cromwell assume at the dissolution »f the Littli 
Parliament 1 Wliat is further related of him? 

38. How did he administer the government ? What is said of his reign 
»nd the state of England? How did he pass the latter part of life ? 

39. What is said of his talents and career ? 

40. To what did he owe his elevation? What is said of the officeis 
and soldiers? How did Cromwell manage while toiling up the ascent 
to greatness? 

41. To what has the name of Cromwell been subjected? What is 
said of the treatment he has received from history ? Why is it so ? 

42. What is said of his private character '^ 

43. What is said of Richard Cromwell? What was done by Geneial 
Monk ? When was Charles II. restored ? 

44. How did the nation suffer him to assume the crown ? What do 
his reign and that of James II. exhibit ? What is said of the new khig ? 

45. Wliat change now took place ? What measures were adopted 
respecting the regicides ? What principles and doctrines came in vogue ? 
What acts were passed x'espeqting religion ? 

46. What was done with Dunkirk? With what nation did Charles 
engage in war? What calamities visited London ? 

47. Why did the government become unpopular? On whom was 
the odium cast ? What were the five ministers, who conducted the 
government after Clarendon was banished, termed ? 

48. Wliat was the religion of Charles and James? For what purpose 
did Charles receive a pension from Louis XIV. of France? What is said 
of the latter part of Charles's reign ? 

49. "Wliose execution was occasioned by the pretended Popish Plof 
What is said of the Rye-House Plot ? 

50. What was the character of the court? How was the reign char- 
acterized ? What is said of Charles II. ? 

51. What is said of James 11. and his reign? What course did he 
take on assuming the government? Who were his counsellors, and 
what did he attempt to do ? 

52. What is related of the Duke of Monmouth? How were those 
who favored him treated ? What is related of Jeffreys ? 

53. How did James succeed in his designs ? What act of his roused 
the general indignation? Who was invited to England to assume the 
government ? 

54. AVbat followed ? What was done by the Convention-Parliament ? 
What is this event styled? 

55. What was now done respecting the British constitution? Wliat 
regulations were made respecting religion ? Wliat are sonie of the most 
Important articles in the declaration of the rights of the subject? 

58. What is related of Archbishop Bancroft, &c.? Wiat were they 
stvled ? 

'57. What course did Ireland adopt? Where was James defeated ly 
William ? Wliat naval battle was fought ? What peace followed ? 
58 What is said of William ? What is said of Mary liis queen ? 

59. Who succeeded William ? What is said of Anne ? For what wai 
her reign distinguished ? 

60. What states united in an alliance against France ? Who were the 
commanders of the allied army? What victories did the Allies gain? 
When was the war terminated ? 

61. What is said of the constitutional union between England and 
Scotland ? „ , 

62. When did the party names of Whigs and Tones first become 
common? What is said of the two parties? Who advocated the ar 
cession of William and Mary? What is said of the state ot partiei 
during the reign of Anne? 



394 ENGLAND 



Section EK. 

1 . Who succeeded Anue ? What is said of George I. ? To what an 
some faults in his government attributed ? 

2. What change took place in the names of the two parties 1 Who were 
favored by George ? What part did the Tories take ? 

3. What is related of the South-Sea Scheme"? 

4. What is said of George II., and of the court! What is saia of his 
partialities in favor of his continental dominions ? 

5 What is related of Sir Robert Walpole f 

6. What is said of the mili'-ary operations of this reign 1 Who succeeded 
to the dominions of Charles VL, emperor of Gei-many 1 Who asserted 
his claim to the throne 1 

7. To what war did this give rise 1 What battle did the Allies gain, and 
in what were they routed ? Plow was the contest decided ? 

8. What took place in Britain while George II. was on the Continent ' 
'Wliere did the Pretender defeat the royal forces 1 Where was he finally 
defeated 1 

9. What advantages did the British gain over the French in America ? 
By what were they followed 1 

10. What is said of Great Britain during the reign of George U. 1 What 
is said respecting the national debt ? 

11. In what circumstances did George III. commence his reign? How 
was the war with France closed 1 

12. Wliat is said of WiUiam Pitt 1 What was the consequeuce of the 
oppressive measures respecting the American Colonies ■? 

^3. Wliat were the other most important events during the reign of 
George III. 1 

14. What is said of the French revolution ? What course did the gov- 
ernment of Great Britain take ? 

15. Who devised the system of operations ? What is said of this war? 
What were some of the victories gained by the British ? 

16. What is said of the reign of George III. ? What was his condition 
during the last ten years of his life ? Wliat is said of George III. ? 

1 7 . By whom was George III. succeeded ? What is said of his character 
and his course ? 

18. What bill was introduced into the House of Lords ? What was tlie 
result ? 

19. What is stated in relation to the Greeks ? 

20. What is said of the Corporation and Test Act ? By what was this 
repeal followed ? What was the effect ? What other improvements in the 
laws are mentioned ? 

21. By whom was George IV. succeeded ? What took place soon after 
his accession ? What was the state of feeling in England ? What subject 
had been long agitated in England ? What was done by the Duke of 
Wellington ? What was the consequence ? 

22. What was done by Lord John RusseU ? What was the result ? What 
is said of the measure ? 

23 . What important acts were passed by the first reformed parliament 

24. By whom was William IV. succeeded ? 



Chronological Table of the History op England. — No. 1. 

Wno was the first king of the Saxon Family ? Who were the Danislr 
kings ? Who was the first of the Norman Family ? The Plantageuet ' 
The Branch of Lancaster ? The Branch of York ? 



EUROPEAN STATES 395 

When did Egbert begin to reign ? Canute 1 William the Conqueror * 
Henry H. 1 Edward 111. ? Henry V. ? 

What is said of Egbert or his reign ? Alfred 1 William the Conqueror 1 
fee. 



Chronological Table of the History of England. — No. 2. 

What ki.igs were of the House of Tudor ? Stuart ? Bmnswick ? 
Wlieu did Henry VII. begin to reign ? Heniy VIH. ■? Edward VI ? &c 
How long did Henry VII. reign 7 Henry VIH. ? Edward VI. ? &c 
What is said respecting Henry VII. or his reign 1 Henry VIII ? &c. 



Chronological Table of English Literature. 

What statesmen and commanders flouiished in the 16th century ? The 
17th? &c. 

What poets flom-ished in the 1 6th centmy ? What di\-ines ? The 1 7th » 
kc. 



europeaj!J states. 

Scotland. 

1. What is said of the pretensions of Scotland to a regular succession of 
kings from the time of Alexander the Great? What were the principal 
tribes that anciently inhabited Scotland ? Who was the first king of all 
Scotland ■? 

2. In whose reign did the most memorable contests happen between 
Scotland and the kings of England 1 Who were Edward's antagonists ? 
In what battle did Robert Bruce defeat the English ? 

3. WTiat took place in 1603 ? What in 1706 t 



Germany. 

1. Into what three monarchies was the Empire of the West divided in 
843 ? What afterwards took place ? What two sovereigns governed (Jer- 
many in the 10th centuiy 1 

2. For what is the reign of Henry IV. remarkable ? To what factions 
did the election of Conrad III. give rise 1 To whom were the Gliibelines, 
and to whom the Guelphs attached ? 

3. By what was the reign of Frederick Barbarossa signalized ? By -viiat 
was the reign of Conrad IV. followed ? Who was elected emperor after 
the Great Inten-egnum ? 

4. What is said of the principal events in the history of the latter em- 
perors of the Franconian line and those of the Swabian line 1 What wero 
the grounds of these contests ■? 

5. What quarrel took place between Louis IV. and Pope John XXIJ. 1 
What was detennined by the Pragmatic Sanction ? 

6. For what is the reign of Sigismund memorable 1 Wlio were burnt 
by the Council of Constance "? AVhat was done by the adherents of Hnsa 
and Jerome in Bohemia 1 

7. Wliat is related of Maximilian I. ■? 

8. What emperor was the most ]50werful sovereijjn of his age? Wha* if 
related of Charles V. 1 What i» said of the Refonnation ? 



396 EUROPEAN STATES. 

9. By what were the reigns of ITerdinaiid II. and Ferdinand HL signnl 
!zed 1 What account is given of this war ? How did it issue 1 

10. What toolv place on the death of Charles VI. 1 How was the wai 
of the Austrian Succession terminated 1 

11. When and how did the German empire terminate ? 

12. When was the imperial government hereditary ? How was it after- 
wards ? What was the mode of election at first .? How afterwards 1 

13. What took place in 1848 ? 



Austria. 

1. When was Austria erected into an empire 1 What is said of it ? 
2 What effect did the French revolution of 1848 produce at Vienna 
What was done by the Emperor Ferdinand ? 
3. Wliat took place in the Austrian dominions in Italy 1 

4 What is related respecting Hungary ? 

5 What was done by the emperor of Russia ? What was the issue ? 

6 What measure was taken by the emperor of Austtia in 1849 1 



Spaik. 

1 . By whom was Spain invaded in the 5th century ? What took placfl 
in the 8th centuiy 1 

2. What was done by the Moors ? What was accomplished by Abder- 
rahman in 755 1 What is said of the Moorish states 7 

3. Whai course did the Gothic or Christian forces pursue ? What does 
the history of Spain present ? 

4. What Christian kingdoms were formed 1 How did the kingdoms of 
Castile, Leon, and Arragcn become united 1 

5. What is said of the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella 1 

6. What is said of Spain during the reigns of Charles I. and Philip H. f 
What has since taken place 1 When was the most fiouris.hing period of 
Spanish literature 1 

7. What took place in 1808 1 What was the result 1 

8. What took place in relation to Spain from 1811 to 1821? Whathaa 
been the condition of Spain since ? 



POKTXTGAL. 

1. What is related of the early history of Portugal ? 

2. How was Henry. Duke of Burgundy, rewarded for his services to Al 
phoneo, king of Castile 1 What did his son and successor Alphonso ac- 
comfilish'? 

3. For what is the reign of John I. famous ? 

4. For what were the reigns of John II. and Emanuel distinguished ? 
What was done during their reigns 1 What took place with respect to 
trade after the discovery of a passage to India round the Cape of Good 
Hope 1 Who first shared with the Portuguese the navigation of the Cape 1 

5. What is said of the period from John I. to the conquest of Poitugal 
by Philip n. of Spain? 

6. What took place in 1580? When were the Spaniards expelled? 

7. What is said of the discoveiy and colonization of Brazil ? 

8. What took place in 1807 ? What measure was adopted with respect 
to Brazil ? What happened in 1 826 ? 



EUROPEAN STATES. 39' 



The Netherlands. 

1. What was the situation of the Nethedands in the Middle Ages ? Wlial 
b said of the coiintiy iu the 15th ccntuiy 1 

2 To wiiom ilid Charles V. resign these provinces ? Wliat after vards 
took place respectinij them 1 

3. What is said of the prosperity of the Dutch Provinces ? 

4. What measure was adopted in relation to tlie Seventeen Provinces by 
the Congress of Vienna ? How long did this union last i 

5. What took place in 1830 ? What was the result ? 



Poland. 

1. When and hy whom was Christianity introduced into Poland ? When 
was the monarchy in its most flourishing state ? 

2. What is related of Casimir HI. ? What took place in the latter part 
of the 14 th century? 

3. Under whose reign did the kingdom rise to its greatest height f Whai 
took place aftei'wards "? 

4. Bv whom and when was Poland conquered and partitioned ? 

5. AVhat was done after the peace of Tilsit in 1S07 1 What in 1815 ? 

6. Wliat is said of the Grand Duke Constantine 1 What took place lE 
1830 1 

7. What is related of the Emperor Nicholas ? 

Sweden. 

1. What did Sweden and Norway anciently form ? What took place in 
ine latter part of the 14th century? What followed? 

2. What is related of Gustavus Vasa? 

3. What is said of Gustavus Adolphus and his reign ? 

4. What is said of Charles XII. ? What was his career? 

5. What is related of Gustavus IV. ? By whom was he succeeded ? By 
what has the loss of Finland been repaired ? 

6. What took place on the death of Charles XIIL ? 



Denbiaiik. 

1. To whom did the crown of Denmark fall in 1848? What is said 
respecting the monarchy ? 

2. With whom was Denmark engaged in war in the beginning of the 
18th century ? How long afterwards did the country enjoy peace .' 

8. What was the condition of the Icingdom during the reigns of Christian 
VI. and Frederick V. ? By what statesman was the latter assisted ? 

4. Whom did Christian VII. marry ? What 'is said of Matilda ? 

5. By whom was Copenhagen attacked in 1801 ? What was the pre- 
tence for bombarding it in 1807 ? How large a fleet was surrendered to the 
British ? 

6. What took place in 1843 ? 

Prussia. 

1. By whom was the foundation of Prussian greatness laid ? What ig 

related of his suc:^ossor? 

34 



398 EUROPEAN STATES. 

2. What is said of Frederick 11. 1 

3. Against whom did Frederick declare war in 1756? How was iha 
contest carried on, and how terminated ? What was the only gainM result 
of this sanguinary struggle ? 

4. What did Frederick afterwards do 1 What is said of him ? 

5. Wliat did the king of Prussia lose by war with the French f What 
course did he take in 1813 1 What did he gain by the treaty of Vienna ! 
Wliat is said of the condition of Prussia since ? 

6. By whom was Frederick William succeeded? How has his reigq 
been characterized ? What has been done ? 



Btjssia. 

1 . What is said of the importance of Eussia ? What is related of Fete 
the Great ? 

2. What is said of Catharine U. ? What further is related of her char 
acter and exploits ? 

3. By whom was Catharine succeeded? What is said of Alexander? 

4. By what has the reign of Nicholas been distinguished ? When wan 
the war against Turkey declared ? What is related of it, and how did i^S 
terminate ? 

5. What took place in 1830 ? What followed ? 

6. What was done by the emperor in 1848 ? What is said of Russia 1 



Rome. 

1. When did the temporal power of the pope commence ? When did i' 
attain its zenith ? 

2. What is said of the first half of the 16th century ? What is related 
of Popes Julius 11. and Leo X. ? What took place during the pontificate of 
the latter ? How has the power of the pope since been diminished ? 

3. What was done by Bonaparte in 1809 ? What was done by the Con 
gress of Vienna ? 

4. What is said of the Roman government ? What of Pius IX. ? 

5. What took place at Rome after the French revolution of 1848 ? 

6. What was accomplished at Rome by the French? 



Turkey. 

1. What are the Turks ? What is the first notice of them in history ' 
By whom were their dominions united ? 

2. What conquest was made by Amurath ? What by Bajazet ? Wha\ 
by Mahomet 11. ? 

3. How did the Turks afterwards succeed? What countries were con- 
quered by Selim ? What is said of the reign and exploits of Solyman tha 
Magnificent ? 

4. With whom have the Turks been engaged in war since the time of 
Solyman ? 

5. By what has the Turkish power been lately weakened ? 

6. When did the Greeks revolt ? What took place afterwards ? What 
was done in 1828 and 1832 ? 



AMERICA. 399 



SOYEBEiaNS OF GERMANY, SpAIN, SwEDEN, PRUSSIA, AN! RUSSIA. 

When did Charles V. of Germany begin to reign ? Ferdinand and Isa- 
bella of Spain? Gustavus Vasa of Sweden? Frederick I. of Prussia? 
Peter I. of Russia ? Francis of Austria ? 

Who were the emperors of Austria in the 16th century, &c. 

Table of Italian, French, Spanish, Gbbbian, &c.. Literature. 

What distinguished men did Italy produce in the 14th century ? In the 
15th? &c. 

Remarks on the Table. 

What is said of Italy respecting the revival of learning ? Who were 
Bome of the distinguished men ? 

What is said of France ? What was the most brilliant period of French 
literature? Who were some of the most eminent men ? What is related 
of Spain ? Germany ? Sweden ? Holland ? 



AMERICA. 

1. What is said of the discovery of America ? What were some of the 
efifects of this discovery ? 

2. To whom is the world indebted for this discovery ? What is related 
of Columbus ? 

3. What did he conceive was necessary in order to complete the balance 
of the terraqueous globe? 

4. How was the merchandise of India conveyed to Europe before the 
passage round the Cape of Good Hope was known ? For what purpose 
did Columbus undertake his voyage of discovery ? 

5. To whom did he apjjly in succession for assistance? From whom 
did he gain some favor after seven years' solicitation ? With what was he 
provided for the expedition ? What appointment did he obtain ? 

6. From what place and when did he sail ? How did he proceed ? 

7. AVhat circumstance alarmed both him and his men ? How did he 
manage ? What took place thirty days after ? How far was he compelled 
to yield to his crew ? 

8. When did Columbus first discover a light ? What satisfaction did 
the crew now make to Columbus? 

9. AVhat isLmd was first discovered? What islands were discovered 
afterwards? Why did he name these islands the fVest Indies 7 

10. What did he procure before he set sail for Spain ? What happened 
during the voyage? What method did he take to preserve an account of 
his discovery ? What favorable occurrence took place? Whither did he 
proceed ? 

11. When did Columbus discover the continent of South America? 
What was caused by his successes ? What was done to Columbus ? What 
did he say when the captain offered to release him from his fetters 1 

12. What did he afterwards do with his fetters? 

13. What was the feeling upon Columbus's arriving thus in Spain ? How 
was he treated ? 

14. How did Columbus obtain command over the Indians in his fourth 
voyage ? What afterwards happened to him ? Wliat is said of his fuueral ! 
What inscription was engraved on his tomb ? 



400 THE UNITED STATES. 

15. By wliom was Columbus deprived of the honor of giving his name 
to the continent 1 What did Americus claim 1 What is said of this act 
of injustice ? 

16. Who first sailed to India round the Cape of Good Hops'? What is 
said of this enterprise 1 What is related of Magellan '^ 

1 7 . When and by whom was the continent of North America first dis- 
covered "? 

18. What land was first seen ? Which way did they proceed ? In what 
manner did they take possession o^ the country 1 

19. When and with what force did Cortes invade Mexico ? How •were 
kis men armed "i With what else was he furnished ? 

20. What was his first course 1 liow was he received by Montezuma ? 
How did Cortes requite his hospitality ? What followed 1 

21. What assistance did Cortes obtain? What was the success of the 
Spaniards ■? 

22. When did the Spaniards form a settlement at Panama ? "With what 
force did Pizarro sail from this place in order to conquer Peru ? 

23. In what manner did he proceed with the Inca Atabalipa 1 

24. What did Atabalipa do in order to procure his release ? To what 
did this treasure amount, and what was done with it 1 What was then 
done to the inca ? 

25. How did the Spanish chiefs then proceed 1 Wliat followed ? 

26. What is said of the Peruvians and Mexicans 1 What arts diJ they 
understand ? In what did the Peruvians excel 'i What is said of their 
relig'ion ? 

27. What was done, in 1524, by Francis I. of Francs'? What is related 
of James Cartier t 

28. What enterprise was performed by Sir Walter Raleigh 1 What 
took place on his retm-n to England 'i 

29. What Englishmen made unsuccessful attempts to settle Virginia ? 

30. By what right did Europeans take possession of the parts of America 
which they visited '? How were the original inhabitants treated'? Who 
set this example ? How did he proceed ? 

31 . What was done by the popes ? What was held out as the chief 
reason for tuklng possession of America? Of what was this made ths 
pretext 1 

32. By <ihr.t were the Spaniards stimulated? What is said of their 
passion fp . f. old ? How were the Indians treated ? What was the result ? 

33. T.y Mr.f,m was tHs cruelty condemned ? Wliere did the colonists 
look for & supply of laborers ? What is said of them ? 

34. Wl.en and by whom was the first importation of negroes from Africa 
made ? Wh-'it has been since done ? 



THE UNITED STATES. 
Section I. 

1. To wr.ftt are nations inclined to lay claim ? How is it with regard to 
*.he people rl this country ? What is said of the early history and growth 
of this cou'/jlry ? 

2. What is said of the first settlers, and of what were they the advocates 
What circumstances have favored their growth ? With whom have thci* 
j>Mi tical and commercial relations connected them ? 

3. In what did the <'.olonization of this countiy originate ? What Colonies 
were peopled by these causes ? 

^ 4. What were their early condition and sufierinf/'s ? What was the ut 
dmate i'su^ '! 



THE UNITED STATES. 40! 

■ 5. When did the crown of England grant the charter under wliith the 
irst efloctual English settlements were made in North America? What 
two coiiiiuiiiies were constituted? What territories were assigned to theral 

6. When and hy wlioni was the first effectual attempt to form a settle- 
ment ■? Where was it begun '? How was the government administered ? 

7 Wio was tlie first president 1 Who was chosen the second year 1 
Wliat is related of Smith 1 

8. In wliat contests were the colonists involved "^ What provocations had 
the Indians before received 1 

9. What happened to Captain Smith ? Before what chief was he carried? 

10. What measures were taken respecting him? By whose influene^ 
was he delivered ? 

1 1 . What service did Pocahontas, two years after, pcifonn for the coUk 
aists ' "Wliat is further related of her ? 

12. What diminution did the colonists suffer in a few months ? What 
aid their number amount to at the end of the year ? 

13. To what sufferings were the colonists afterwards subjected ? 

14. ^^Hiat was the effect of this famine ? What course did those who 
SIlr^•ivcd it, take ? What induced them to remain ? 

15. Wliat was the number of colonists at the end of twelve years 1 Wha; 
addition was made in 1619 ? What is said of the planters ? "Wliat method 
was adopted for supplying them with wives ? What pirice was paid for a 
wife ? What was the commencement of slavery ? 

16. "Wliat plot was concerted against tlie colonists in 1622? How many 
of them were put to death ? What calamities followed the massacre ? 
What number of inhabitants did the colony contain in 1624? 

17 By what other circumstances did the colony suffer ? What is said 
of Sir William Berkeley and his administration ? To what did the restric- 
tions on the trade of the colony give rise ? What was the consequence ? 

18. What was the population in 1G60? What was the increase in the 
9.8 succeeding years ? With what views did the first adventurers come ? 
To what did they turn their attention in 1616 ? What use was made of 
tobacco ? 

19. By whom and when was Pludson's River discovered ? When and 
where were the first permanent settlements made by the Dutch ? Wnat 
were the country and the settlement on Manhattan Island named ? 

20. Who were the three successive Dutch governors ? To what did tie 
extension of the English settlements give rise ? 

21. To whom did Charles II. of England grant the country? Whit 
afterwards took place ? 

22. Where did the Plymouth Company commence an unsuccessful set 
tlement? By whom was the name of the country changed ? To whom 
was a patent granted by King James ? Between what degrees of latitude 
did the country granted lie ? 

23. When and by whom was the first permanent settlement begun ic 
New England ? Why were they called Puritans ? Of whose congicgaticn 
did tht y form a part ? 

24. To what country had they before fled ? Why did they come to Amer 
ica? What is said of the principle of toleration at this period ? 

25. To what river did they propose to sail ? "What was the first land 
that they discovered ? "Wlien did they land at PljTnouth ? 

26. To what sufferings were they subjected ? 

27. What kind of government did they institiite ? "Wlio were the first 
two governors ? What articles of food did they raise ? How was their 
property for several years held ? 

28. "What method did they adopt to protect themselves against the In- 
dians ? What is related of" Samoset? What of Massasoit ? How long 
ras the treaty made mth him observed ? 

34* 



402 IHE UNITED STATES 

29. When and by whom was the Colony of Massachusetts Bay begtm I 
By whom were Boston and other places near it first settle'? 1 

30. '\Vhat is mentioned respecting the first settlements in New Hamp • 
Bhire ? How long did they continue annexed to Massachusetts '? 

31. When and where was the Colony of Connecticut commenced ? The 
Colony of New Haven ? When were these united ? 

32. When, where, and by whom was the settlement of Ehode Island 
commenced ? 

33. What is said of the attention of the colonists to religion and learning ' 
IIow long after the first settlement of Massachusetts Bay was it b«fore Hai" 
Fai'd College was founded 1 

34. For what virtues were the colonists distinguished 1 

35. On what subjects were theh views narrow ? What is related of their 
principles and habits. 

36. In what way did the colonists get possession of the land ? How had 
the Indians been treated by Europeans ? 

37 What is related of Captain Standish and of Mr. Robinson ? What 
Colonies suffered little from the Indians for many years 1 What is related 
respecting the Colony of Connecticut ? What was-the issue of this contest ? 

38. What measure did the four Colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Ply- 
mouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, adopt to promote their security and 
welfare ? How many delegates were elected by each ? What is said of 
this union 1 

39. What was the most destructive Indian war in which the Coloniep 
v<^re ever engaged ? What is said of Philip 1 

40. What did the Indians determine to do ■? What measure was adopted' 

41. What was the immediate cause of war ? What next took place "? 

42. How were hostilities conducted ? What is the greatest battle called ? 
JVTiere was it fought ? Who commanded the colonists ? What was the 
kOSS on each side ? 

43. What was the condition of the Indians after this defeat ? What 
happened to Philip 1 What is said of his death ? In what wars were the 
colonists afterwards annoyed by the Indians 'i 

44. To what was the English population of these Colonies at this time 
computed to amount ? What losses were sustained ? How many build- 
ings and towns were destroyed 1 

45. Who was the founder of Maryland ? Where did he first project a 
settlement ? From whom was the country named 1 By whom was Lord 
Baltimore succeeded "? 

46. Who was appointed the first governor? When and where did he 
begin a settlement ? What measures were pursued ? 

47. To whom was the counti-y of Pennsylvania granted 1 Why was it 
granted to Penn 1 When and with whom did he arrive 1 

48. What did he make the basis of his institutions 1 How did he man 
Bge in his intercourse with the Indians 1 

49. How long were the treaties preserved inviolate ? 

50. Wliat is said of the prosperity of this colony ? What inducements 
were held out to settlers ? 

51. Wliat were the first civil communities in which the free toleration of 
religion was recognized ? 

Section U. 

' . What sovereigns had hitherto occupied the throne of England since 
&e commencement of the Colonies ? What was the effect of their princi- 
ples ? With what were the Colonies alarmed f 

2. What was done by Edward Randolph in order to destroy the libertiei 
of Nsw Engknd ? 



THE UNITED STATES 403 

3. Who was appointed by James II. governor of New England ? WTiat 
measure did Sir Kdraund Andros adopt? Wliat was done with the char 
t^rs ? How did Sir Edmund then proceed I 

4. What tool; place in Enub'.nd at this time 1 How was the news of the 
Revolution of 1 688 received in this country ? What measures were adopted 
by the Colonies ? 

5. What was done with regard to the Colonies of Massachusetts Bay and 
Plymouth ; 

(i. How were the magistrates under the old charter elected ? "What 
change was made by tlie new charter"? Who was appointed the first gov- 
ernoi ? 

7. To what evils did the revolution in England suhject the Colordcs ' 
IIow long did tlic war during the reign of William last 1 How long did 
that during the reign of Anne continue 'i 

8. How much of the time, for 25 years preceding the peace of Utrecht. 
had the country- been exempted from war ? What nunilier of the inhabit 
ants were in actual service i What was the condition of the rest ? AVMiat 
was the state of the country? 

9. How many young men, belonging to New England and New York; 
are supposed to have been lost in the public service 1 

10. When did another war break out between Great Britain and France ? 
By what was tins war rendered memorable in America 1 What is said of 
Louisburg ? 

11. How many troops had General Pepperell ? By whom was he joined ? 
What was the issue ? 

12. What effect did the news of this achievement of the Colonies have 
on the government of France ? What armament was sent by the French 
to America ? What was the object of it ? 

13. What disasters happened to this fleet? 

14. What became of the ships that remained? What was done with 
Louisburg at the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle ? 

15. Who claimed the country watered by the Mississippi and its tribu 
tsiries ? What measures did the French take with regard to it, in the sue 
ceeding period of peace ? 

16. What grant was obtained by the Ohio Company ? What course did 
tlie French take with respect to tlie traders ? 

17. What measures were adopted by the Company and by the Colony of 
Virginia ? W^ho was sent to the French commnndant ? 

18. What course was taken by the British government? What warlike 
preparations were made ? 

19. On what expedition was General Braddock sent? What did his 
force amount to? What is said of Braddock and his fate? What loss 
was sustained ? What is related of Washington ? 

20. By wliom and where was General Johnson met in his expedition 
«gainst Crown Point ? Wi. a was the issue ? What is said of the expedi- 
tion against Niagara and Fort Frontcnac ? 

21. How long'was the war carried on before a fomial declaration was 
made ? Who succeeded Dieskau ? Who had the chief command of the 
English troops ? What is said of the commanders, and of the campaign ? 
By whose means was a favoralde cliange effected ? 

"22. What measure was p.irsued by Mr. Pitt? What number of met? 
vas brouglit into the service ? Wliat three expeditions were resolved 
»n? 

23. Wliat forces and what commanders were sent against Louisburg ♦ 
What was the issue ? 

24. Wliat was the resul- of ihe attack on Ticonderoga by Abercrombie? 
Wha.t was done by Coloael Bradstreet and General Forbes ? 

25 To whom was the chief command given after the disaster at Tioon 



404 THL-; UiNiPED ciTATES. 

deroga 1 "VVliat was the object of t'le campaign of \759 ? What three 
divisjoiis were iiov.' made of the British army? 

28. Wliai was the success of the expeditions against Ticondcj Jga, Crown 
Point, and Niagara ? 

27. To whom was the fxpedition against Quebec intrusted? What is 
said of this place ? Wliat eflect had tlie difficulties of tlie enterprise on the 
Enjj;lish peneral 1 With what force did he approach tlie city ? 

28. 'What enterprise did he accomplish during the night? What was 
the issue of the battle that followed ? 

29. What is related of Wolfe on his viewing the engagement, after he 
had received a fatal wound ? What is said of Montcalm ? 

30. By what was tliis hattle followed ? What was done by tbq 
p«ace of Paris in 1763? How did the success of this war affect ?he 
Col jnies ? 



Section III. 

1. What is said of the colonists ? Why did emigrants leave England ? 
How did they regard the parent country ? 

2. What was their condition at the peace of 1763 ? 

3. What troubles assailed them after the conquest of Canada had freed 
them from the hostilities of the French and Indians ? 

4. What had been the effect of the war which Great Britain had cairicd 
on in defence of her Ameiican possessions ? Yfhat was the pretext for 
taxing the Colonies ? 

5. What was maintained respecting this matter by the Colonies ? What 
did they maintain was a right of British subjects ? 

6. AVhat measures were adopted by parliament in 1764? How were 
these proceedings regarded by the Colonies ? 

7. ^Vllat act was passed the next year ? On what did the Stamp Ac! 
lay a duty ? What was done by the Assembly of Virginia ? What by 
Massachusetts ? 

8. What took place in Boston when the news of the Stamp Act arrived ? 
What in New York ? What was done by the merchants ? 

9. When and where did a Colonial Congress meet ? What measure did 
^his Congress adopt ? What was done by the merchants ? What was 
the issue respecting the Stamp Act ? What was done by parliament aftei 
fl change in the British cabinet? 

10. What act was passed by parliament in 1767? What was done tff 
render the act effectual ? What was another arbitrary measure of parlia 
meet:? 

11. What were now the feelings of the Americans ? "What affray too> 
place on the ."ith of March ? How was the funeral of the dccjeased can 
ductoi ? What was the result of the trial of Captain Preston and hi 3 sol- 
diers ? 

1 2. Who was appointed prime minister of England in 1 770 ? Whiit did 
ihe British ministi-y intend to do by retaining the duty of three pence on 
tea ? What were the Americans determined to do ? What is said of the 
jear 1771 ? 

13. What wag done in 1772 by the representatives of Massachusetts? 
WHiat by the inhabitants of Boston and the towns generally- ? 

14. What was done with the tea in New York and Philadelphia ? In 
Boston ? 

,5. Wliat place was considered the chief seat of rebellion? What was 
•Jie act called the Boston Port Bill ? What was its effec-t ? 

le With what authority did General Gage arrive in B ston? Wha< 
«»ion followed 1 



THE UNITKn STATES. 405 

17. What measures were adopted in Massachusetts to prepare for the 
Mutest ? 

18. \^niat was done by the General Court of Massachusetts 1 

19 When and wlierc did the Coiitinental CoD<j:ress m^»ct ? Of whom 
was this Congress composed ? What measures did they adopt? 

20. What is said of the power of Great Britain ? What was the condi- 
tion of the Colonies ? By what were their operations especially emhar- 
rassed ? How was their resolution to engage in the contest regarded in 
England ? 

21 . 'WHiat was done when the proceedings of the Congress were laid before 
pjirliamont ? To what number was the British army increased 1 

22. What was the puqjort of Lord North's conciliatory proposition ? Wliat 
was the design of it? How was it received ? 

2.3. For what object did General Gage send a party of troops to Salcni ' 
Wl-..-) were sent to seize the military stores at Concord ? What account is 
given of the aftair at Lexington ? 

21. What was done by the British troops after having dispersed the mi- 
liria at Lexington ? What took place on their return ? 

25. AVhat was now done by the Americans ? What army was raistd * 
• 26. Yv'hat fortresses were secured, and by whom 1 

27. What was done by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts ? 

28. When and where did the second Continental Congress meet f What 
did they recommend ? 

29. What generals arrived with British troops ? Wliat measure was 
now adopted ? Who were excepted from the offer of pardon ? 

30. For what purpose was Colonel Prescott ordered to throw up a breast- 
work on Bunker Hill ? How far had the work proceeded before it wag 
discovered ? 

31. With what force did General Howe make an attack on the works ? 
What is said of the defence of the Americans ? What losses were sus- 
tained on each side ? What was done by the British while their ti-oops 
were advancing 1 

32. What measures were now adopted Iiy Congress ? Wlio was cho-sen 
commander-in chief of the army 1 What is said of Washington ? Whete 
did he establi.;'i his head-quarters ? 

33. What other chief officers were aiipointed ? 

34. Who were sent on an expedition to Canada? On whom did the 
chief command devolve ? 

35. What was accomplished by Arnold ? Wliat was the issue of the 
attack on Quebec ? 

3G. What took place in Virginia during these operations in the north 1 
Wliat was done by Lord Dunmore ? 

37. From what other States were the royal governors expelled ? What 
were the adherents of Great Britain called "? What is said of them ? B j 
whom was General Gage succeeded ? 

3S. What is said of the American anny investing Boston ? Wliat did 
Washington resolve to do in the latter part of the winter ? What measures 
were adopted ? 

39. What prevented Howe from attacking the works? What took 
place? 

40. What attack was made by Sir Peter Parser ? What was the re- 
sult? 

4 1 . What was the effect produced in England by the news of the battle 
of Bunker Hill ? What measures did the ministiy adopt? To what did 
the force destined to America amount ? 

42. What had hitherto been the object of the conti'oversy ? Wliat did 
ihe Colonies now begin to think of doing ? What publication contributed 
to bring about a great change in the public mind ? By whom was the 



THE UNITED STATE&. 

motion in Congress made for declaring the Colonies free and indej. endcnt i 
Of whom did the committee for preparing the Declaration consist? Ho'^ 
anvi when was the vote carried 1 

43. How does the Declaration conclude ? 



Section IV. 

1 What did Washington suppose would be a favorite object with Gen 
tral Howe 1 What measure was adopted 1 

2. Whither did Sir William Howe sail, after evacuating Boston? "Wliat 
igooii after took place? What is said of the number of the British 
troops ? What of the American army ? 

3. What attempt was made to bring about a reconciliation? What 
terms were proposed? What other occun-ences took place ? 

4. Where did an engagement take place ? By whom were the Ameri- 
gans commanded ? What were the issue and the losses ? How was the 
retreat of the Americans effected ? 

5. What was Washington's next movement? AVhat fort was reduced 
by Howe ? Of what were the British now possessed ? 

6. What retreat did Wasliington now make? 'What was now done 
by the British troops ? 

7. What was now the aspect of American affairs, and the state of the 
army ? Wliat other misfortunes had occurred ? How large an anny 
had Washington? What else took place unfavorable to the Ameiican 
cause ? 

8. "Wliat account is given of Washington's attack on Trenton? What 
was his next exploit ? What was the effect of these measures ? 

9. What measures did Congress adopt at this period? 

10. What was done by General Howe in March and April of 17771 

11. Of what did the American army now consist? What measure 
was adopted by Howe? What movement was made by Washington? 
What battle followed ? What were the losses ? 

12. What was done by Howe after this battle ? "Wliat account is 
given of the battle of Germantown ? "What was then done by the Brit 
ish army ? 

13. "VVlio invaded the States through Canada? "What advantages did 
General Burgoyne gain ? 

14. For what purpose did he send a detachment to Bennington? What 
was the issue ? Wliat took place on the Mohawk ? 

15. "Wliere did Burgojme encamp with his forces? "WTio had now 
the command of the American army in the north ? "What losses were 
sustained in the battle of Stillwater ? How was the British army soon 
after situated ? 

16. "What did Burgoyne do in this exigency? Wliat measure was he 
aext compelled to adopt ? What number was surrendered ? 

17. "What was the effect of the surrender of Burgojme? Who had 
been sent, in 1776, to France, to solicit assistance? "Wliat was their 
success ? What was done after the surrender of Burgoyne I 

18. How were the British ministry affected by these events? Wha< 
Uicasures were adopted * What was the issue ? 

19. "Who succeeded General Howe as commander-in-chief of the Brit- 
ish army ? What did the British now determine to do ? What events 
followed" "^ 

20. How large was the French fleet under Count d'Estoing? What 
plan was now concerted ? "Wliat account is given of the engagement on 
Khodc Island? Wliat was done by the French fleet? "What town 
was taken by the British in December ? 



THE UNITED STATES. 407 

21. Wliat change was made in the theatre of the wai in 1779? Wlial 
fe said of the operations 1 By what were the exertions of the Americans 
enfeebled "? 

22. What was done by Collier and Matthews ? "WTiat by Tryon? 

23. What account is given of the achievement o." General Wayne? 
Of General LovcU ? Of General Sullivan ? 

24. What measure was taken by General Lincoln? What was the 
result ? What was the issue of the attack made on the English in Savan- 
nah ? 

25. Wliat State was the principal theatre of the war in ITSOI What 
at;coant is given of the siege of Charleston by Clinton ? Who was left 
to command the British troops in the south ? 

20. What measures were taken to secure the obedience of the inicrioi 
coa Jtry to the British ? What events took place ? 

27. Who now took the command of the southern American army in 
place of General Lincoln? What account is given of the battle of 
Camden ? 

28. 'WTiat French fleet and army arrived ? What is said of them? 

29. Wliat ti-eacherous plot did General Arnold form ? What facts are 
related respecting Arnold ? How was his design frustrated ? 

30. What is said of Major Andre ? What became of Arnold ? 

31. Wliat is said of the operations of the war in 1781? What was 
done by Arnold '( 

32. Who was now appointed to command the southern American 
army? What is related res])ecting the battle of the Cow- Pens 7 

33. Wliat account is given of the battle near Guilford court-house? 
Wliat took place at Camden ? WTiat account is given of the battle of 
Eutaw Springs? 

34. What course did Cornwallis take after the battle of Guilford? 
Where did he encamp and fortify himself? 

35. What measure had been concerted by the American officers ? On 
whom was it tinally resolved to make an attack? How was Sir Henry 
Clinton prevented from sending assistance to Cornwallis? 

36. What course did Washington now pursue? 

37. What measure was adopted by Clinton ? What was done in Con- 
necticut ? 

38. What good news did Washington hear at Chester? What was 
the issue of the engagement between the English and French fleets ? To 
what did Wasliington's force now amount? 

39. What was the etfect of the attack of the Americans on the Brit- 
ish army 1 WTien did Cornwallis propose a cessation of hostilities ? 
Wliat was the number of prisoners that surrendered ? 

to. How was the news of this suiTender received ? What expressions 
of gratitude were made by the army and liy Congress? 

41. WTiat is said of the subsequent military operations ? What changes 
were made in the British cabinet and in the command of the British 
aray? When were provisional articles of peace signed? When, where, 
and by whom was the definitive treaty of peace concluded ? 

42. Wliat is said of the war ? What did it cost Great Britain ? 



Section V. 

1. What difficulties arose when the American army was about to be 
disbanded? To what expedient had Congress been driven? How had 
the army been paid, and what was their condition ? 

2. Why had the officers remained quiet, and why were they now 
alarmed? Wliat took place with regard to that portion stationed at 
Newburg ? 



^4^8 



THE UNITED STATES. 



8. Wlmt did Washington do at this crisis ? 

i. What ctf'ect had tJiis speech upon the officers ? \VTiat meossmx 
did Conp-ess adopt ? 

5. In what manner did Washington resign his command 1 

6. After the return of peace, how Avas tlie government under the Arti- 
cles of Confederation found "? What was tlie state of the paper currencyl 

7. In what proportion to their nominal value were the army notes s.'^ld'? 
Who were the sutFei-ers hy this depreciation ? 

8. When and where did commissioners meet to form a system of 
C! mmercial regulations? What measure did they adopt? 

9. When did the delegates meet at Philadel|.)hia'? When was the 
(.■■f/nstitution unanimously agreed to by them ? What measure \^as then 
taken respecting it? When was it ratified by eleven of the States? By 
H'liat States was it not at first adopted ? 

10. Who was unanimously chosen first president? What is said of 
Lis journey to New York ? 

11. When was he inaugurated? Wliat is said of the ceremony? 

12. How was tlie nation affected by this event? What is said of his 
qualifications? Who was elected vice-president? Who were the other 
princi))al officers? 

13. What Ijcncficial efl^ects were soon felt? 

14. Over whom did the Indians north of the Ohio obtain victones in 
1790 and 1791? Who routed them, and negotiated a treaty at Green- 
ville? 

15. In what otlier difficulties were the United States now involved? 
What were the feelings of a large portion of the community? What 
was the policy of Washington's administration? 

16. What did Wasliington do near the end of the second term of his 
administi-ation? By whom was he succeeded? 

17. Wliat course was pursued by the French revolutionary goA-ern- 
ment ? How did the American government act ? What soon after took 
place ? 

18. Wliat particulars are mentioned respecting Washington's death? 
What eflteet was produced by the news? How was his death noticed 
throughout the country ? 

19. What parties arose at the time of the adoption of the Federal Con- 
stitution? How were they afterwards generally designated? How did 
tliese parties differ? What is said of the treaty negotiated by Mr. Jay? 

20. What measures of Mr. Adams's administration excited most dis 
satisfaction? What change took place in 1801 ? 



Section VI. 

L Wliat was the great measure of the first term of Mr. Jefferson's 
administration? Wliat sum was paid for Louisiana? What is said 
of the history of Louisiana? 

2. What was the state of the country when Mr. Jefferson became presi- 
dent ? What is said of parties, and of his reelection ? 

3. What is said of the war between Great Britain and France ? How 
was America affected by it ? 

4. What measure did the British government adopt in 1806? What 
did the French Berlin Decree declare? What was the efi'ect of the 
British Orders in Council ? What was the import of Bonaparte's Milan 
Decree ? 

5. What measure was recommended by Mr. Jefferson, and adopted 
r>y Congress ? What was the design of tliis measure '^ What was th< 
effect ? What was substituted in its stead ? 



THE UNITED sTATES. 



409 



6. WT.at was the condition of the timle of the United Status "? 

7. \YU;it species of injury did the United States suffer excbasivelj 
from Jiritain '! What is said on this suhjcct? 

8. What comphiint did the British make ■? Wliat is said of this prac- 
tice? 

9. To what vessels had the custom of searching for British seamen 
been confined ? What account is given of the attack on the American 
frigate Chesapeake 1 

1 0. How was this outrage regarded 1 Wliat measures were adopted 1 

11. By whom was Mr. Jefferson succeeded? Wliat took place at the 
commencement of ilr. Madison's administration? Wliat is related of 
Mr Jackson i Between what vessels of war did a rencounter take place f 

12. Under what circumstances did Congress meet in May, 1812? What 
iid Mr. Madison state as the principal grounds of war? 

13. Ho\- was the bill passed? What took place five days after the 
declaration? 

14. On what ground did the minority oppose the war? How was it 
with the people ? 

1 5. Under what circumstances was the war commenced ? 

16. What is relat. 'I respecting General Hull's invasion of Catiada? 
What is said of Genei 1 Van Rensselaer's attempt? 

17. What is said of tne success of the Americans on the ocean? What 
naval victories were gained '' 

18. By whom was General Winchester defeated? What became of 
about 500 prisoners ? 

19. What is related of General Pike? What of Colonel Dudley? 

20. By whom were the British repulsed at Sackett's Harbor ? By whom 
was Fort George in Canada taken ? What followed ? 

21. What is related of Perrv's achievement on Lake Erie? 

22. What was done by General Harrison ? What is stated respecting 
this action ? _ , . 

23. What is said of the preparations against Canada under Wilkinson 
and Hampton ? What villages were burnt ? What is related of Admiral 
Cockburn ? 

24. WHiat naval eniragements took place this year? 

2'). What is said of the campaign of 1814? 'What is related of the 
battle of Chippewa? What of the battle of Bridgewater? 

26. With how large an aniiy did Sir George Prevost advance to Platts- 
burg? Who commanded the' British naval force on Lake Champlaini 
By whom was Downie defeated? By whom was Sir George Prevost re 
pulsed ? What were the losses ? 

27. How numerous an army under General Ross landed in the Patux 
ent? What was accomplished by them? By whom was an attempl 
m.ide on Baltimore? Wliat was the i.ssue? 

28. What naval operations took place ? 

2'i. Wliat is said respecting the connection of this war with that which 
lad been raging in Europe? When and where was a treaty of peace 
lignod ? 

30. What was done by the British while this negotiation was in progress 1 
By whom were the British repulsed ? What losses were sustained ? 

31. What was the condition of the Northeastern States in 1814? 
What was proposed by the legislature of Massachusetts? What con- 
vention met? What was the result? 

32. What is related of the treaty of Ghent? Wliat might occur in 
case Gi eat Britain viould be again engaged in a European war ? 

33. What is said respecting war as a method of settling national dia 
putes? 

34. By who^n was Mr. Madison succeeded? What is said of hia 
r^lection ? g^ 



410 THE UNITED S FATES 

35. What was the state of the country durirg Mr. Monroe's adminis 
tration '? 

36. \VTien, and for what sum, was Florida ceded to the United States 1 

37. What is said of the admission of the State of Missouri into tha 
Union "? How did the bill pass ? What declaration accompanied if? 

38. Wliat is related of the visit of General Lafayette 1 What waa 
done for him by Congress ? 

■ 3'J. By whom was Mr. Monroe succeeded ? Who were the candidates 
for th; presidency ? How many votes did each receive 1 

40. What was the state of the counti-y during Mr. Adams's administra- 
tion 1 Wliat is said of the policy pursued ? 

41. What is related respecting the Cherokee and Creek Indians'? 

42. What course did the Indians take? What was afterwards done? 

43. What is said of the new tariff law, and the principle of a pro 
tcctive tariff? 

44. What is related respecting John Adams and Thomas Jefferson? 

Section VII. 

1. By wliom was Mr. Adams succeeded'? Fr : what had General 
Jackson been distinguished ? 

2. By what was Jackson's administration signalized? What bills did 
he return with a veto ? 

3. What measures were adopted in South Carolina ■? 

4. What was then done by President Jackson '? What by the governor 
of South Carolina? What was the next measure of the president? 

5. What afterwards took place, and what was the result ? 

6. What was done by President Jackson soon after he was elected for 
a second term? What course was taken by Mr. Duane and by Mr. 
Taney? What was done by the Senate? 

7. What is said of the difBculties with France? What was done by 
France ? 

8. What is related respecting the fire in New York ? 

9. What did the debt of the United States amount to in 1816? WTien 
was it all paid off? What surplus revenue was there in the treasury in 
1837 ? What was done with it? 

10. Wbat is related respecting the Seminole Indians? What did the 
expenses of this war amount to ? 

11. By whom was Jackson succeeded? What is said of Mr Van 
Buren ? 

12. Wliat is said of the commercial revulsion, causes, and effects? 

13. What course did the banks take? What was the condition of tlia 
mercantile classes ? 

14. Ho w was the government involved in the embarrassment? What 
measures were taken by the president and by Congress? When did the 
banks resume specie papnent ? 

15. What is said of the rel)elIion in Canada? Wliat American eitizens 
took part in it ? What was done by the president ? 

16. By whom Avas Mr. Van Buren succeeded? What is said of Gen 
eral Harrison ? 

17. What is related respecting the election of Harrison? Who_ suc- 
ceeded to the presidency on the death of Harrison ? What is said of 
President Tyler? 

16. Wliat acts were passed by Congress in an extra session? Wha< 
course was taken by the president ? What was the consequence ? 

19. What law was enacted in 1842? What is said of it? 

20. What is said i-especting the northeastern boundary of the United 
{States ? When and how was the matter adjusted? 



THE UNITED STATES. 411 

21 . What was one of the last measures of Mr. Tyler's administration '. 
How was Texas annexed, and by what vote 1 

22. By whom was Tyler succeeded 1 What is said of the election ? 

23. What measures were strongly favored by the party that supported 
Mr. Polk ? Wliat course did the president take ? 

24. What is said of the northwestern boundary ? How was the matter 
adjusted ? 

25. What tariff law was passed on the president's recommendation ? 

26. What did the war with Mexico grow out of? What is related ra 
spectiup: Texas? What was done by the Mexican minister? 

2" What '« said of the boundaries of Texas ? What were the boun- 
daries contended for by the different parties ? AVhat took place on the 
disputed territory? 

28. What was done by the legislature of Texas in 1845? What was 
ib ?n done ? 

29. Where was General Taylor with his aiTny in March, 1846 ? Where 
wus he ordered to proceed ? What were his next movements ? 

30. What is said of the Mexican force that was assembled ? What was 
done by General Arista on the 24th of AprU ? What took place on the 
same day ? 

31. What was done a few days afterwards by the Mexicans and by 
General Taylor? What was the result? 

32. What is related of the battle of Palo Alto, and the losses ? 

33. What took place the following day ? What next followed ? 

34. What is said of the effect produced by the news of Captain Thorn- 
ton's disaster at Washington ? What course ilid the president take ? 
What did Congress do ? What did the whig members attempt to do ? 
By what vote did the bill pass ? 

35. What is said of the feeling against the war? What vote was 
passed by the House of Eepresentatives ? 

36. How was General Taylor's force increased ? What measures were 
taken ? 

37. What is related respecting the attack on Monterey ? 

38. When was the city assaulted ? What was the result ? What next 
followed ? 

39. What is related respecting General Santa Anna? What course 
was it expected he would take ? What was done, and what was the re- 
sult ? 

40. What course did the American government now resolve to take 1 
Who was ordered to take the chief command ? 

41. What is said respecting the armistice concluded by General Tay- 
lor ? What then followed ? What was done by General Scott ? 

42. What was now done by General Taylor ? What did he soon learn 
respecting Santa Anna? What course did General Taylor then take ? 

43. What is related respecting the battle of Buena Vista? Wha* 
wsre the losses on both sides ? 

II. What is related respecting General Scott's attack on Vera Cruz, 
and its result 1 

45. What course did the American army then take? What took 
place at Cerro Gordo ? 

46. What was the issue of this assault? What were the losses of the 
Mexicans, and the Americans ? 

47. By what was the victory of Cerro Gordo followed ? What is saia 
of the state of the anny ? 

48 When and with Mdiat force did General Scott march fi-om Pnebla ! 
What two battles were fought ? What is stated respecting the battle of 
Oontreras ? What of Churubusco ? What does General Scott sav o' 
Jhe achievements of the American armV 



412 THE UNITED STATES 

49. "WTiat was the effect of these victories ? What course nas thes 
adopted ? 

50. Wiat is said of Mr. Trist, and what was done by him? What 
was the result, and what followed 1 

.51. What military operation took place the following day ? What was 
fhe loss on each side ? 

52. Wliat is said of the storming of the forti-ess of Chanultepec ? What 
was then done by the Americans ? 

53. What was" then done by the Mexican araiy, and by the Americans? 

54. What was the total loss of General Scott's army in these battles? 
Viliat was the number of American troops that took the city of Mexico? 

55. WlvM expedition was conducted by General Kearny 1 

56. What is said of his march and conquest? What measui-ee Jidi 
he then adopt? 

57. What is related of Colonel Doniphan? What of the contest at 
Bracito ? 

58. What took place at the Pass of Sacramento ? Wliat followed ? 

59. What is related respecting Colonel Fremont? What was dona 
when the existence of the war with Mexico was heard of? 

60. What was done soon after the conquest of the city of Mexico by 
General Scott? What was the result? 

61. Wiat provinces were ceded by Mexico to the United States'* 
What does the territory acquired amount to ? 

62. What sum did the United States engage to pay to Mexico? 

63. What is said of the discovery of gold mines ? What consequenca 
has followed this discovery ? 

64. What is said of the progress and issue of the war? What bene- 
ficial results may be hoped from it ? 

65. By whom was Mr. Polk succeeded? What is said of General 
•Taylor ? What of the election ? 

66. What is said of the death of President Taylor 1 By whom was he 
Bucceeded ? 

67. What important acts were passed soon after the accession of Mr. 
Fillmore ? 

68. What is said of the act for the rendition of fugitive slaves ? 

69. What is related of General Lopez ? 

70. What was done by President Fillmore ? 

71. What is related concerning this expedition? What of Lopez and 
his followers ? 

72. What is said of the administration of Mr. Fillmore 1 

SECTION VIIL 

1. By whom was Mr. Fillmore succeeded? What is said of the eleo 
tion, and of the inaugural address of President Pierce ? 

2. Wliat military expeditions were made after the termination of tha 
Mexican war ? 

3. What is said of these expeditions and their object ? 

4. Who was the most noted leader ? What the most considerable of 
these expeditions ? 

5. What is said of Walker's last expedition? 

6. What is related concerning the choice of a speaker for the 34th 
Congress ? 

7. What conference was held at Ostend ? What proposition was made ? 
How was it regarded ? 

8. What two important measures of President Pierce's administration 1 

9. What is related respecting the bill for organizing the Territories of 
Kansas and Nebraska ? What was the effect of this bill with respect to 
the Missouri Compromise ? 



THE UNITED STATES. 41^ 

10. What is said of the introduction of this bill ? What was dono by 
New England clergj'men t By what vote w.ns the bill passed ? 

11. How was this measure regarded in the free States ? To what did it 
lead? 

1 2. What was done soon after the passage of this act ? 

13. What is related respecting bodies of armed men from Missouri? 

14. Who was the first governor of Kansas 1 When did he arrive, and 
what followed 1 

1.5. What is related concerning an election in March, 1855 ? 

16. Who was appointed governor in place of Reeder ? What constitu- 
tion was formed 1 

17. By whom was Shannon succeeded 1 What is related respecting 
Geary ? By whom was he succeeded ? 

18. What is related respecting the formation of a constitution ? What 
course did Governor Walker take? By whom was he succeeded ? 

19. What was done with respect to the Lecompton Constitution? By 
whom was Governor Denver succeeded ? 

20. When and where was another constitution formed ? By what ma- 
jority was it ratified by the people? Who was elected governor? 

21. What is further said respecting Kansas ? 

22. By whom was Franklin Pierce succeeded ? What is said of the 
election ? 

23. By what political parties had the people of the United States been 
long divided ? What new party was now formed ? What was its leading 
principle ? 

24. What is said of Slavery ? For what was Mr. Buchanan's adminis- 
tration noted ? What is related respecting some members of his cabinet? 

25. Wliat is related respecting John Brown and his followers ? 

26. What eff"ect did it produce, and how many armed men were col- 
lected to oppose him ? 

27. What course did Brown pursue ? What was the fate of Brown and 
his followers ? 

28. What is said of this enterprise ? 

29. What is related respecting the life and character of Brown ? 

30. What is said of his hostility to Slavery? What was said of him by 
Governor Wise ? 

31. How did he appear after his condemnation ? 

32. What is said respecting Slavery at the time of the adoption of the 
Federal Constitution ? 

33. What eminent men regarded it as a bad institution ? 

34. What change took place after the invention of the cotton-gin ? 

35. At what times has a hostile feeling or dissension between the free 
and slave States been strongly manifested ? 

36. When w.as the 16th JPresident of the United States elected? What 
was the state of the country at the time ? What the parties ? 

37. AVhat is related respecting the democratic party? Who were the 
'cndidates of the different parties for President? 

38. What is said of the election ? What was the result ? 

39. What is related respecting South Carolina and other Southern 
States ? What course did South Carolina take ? 

40. What further measures were taken by South Carolina ? 

41. When and where did tlie delegates of the seceding States meet? 
What measures did they adopt ? What States were styled Confederate 
Btafes ? 

42. What took place on the 4th of March, 1861 1 

43. When and how was the rebellion or war begun 1 

44. What \cas done by President Lincoln ? 

35* 



414 THE UNITED STATES. 

TABLES. 

HlSTOfiT OF THE UnITED StATES. 

Which were some of the first settled colonies 1 

When was Virginia settled, and by whom 1 New York ? &c. 

When was the Peace of Paris, and the end of the French war ? 

When did the Revolutionary War begin ? When was peace restoreil 

Wlien was the Declaration of Independence 1 When was the Constitu 
tion adopted 1 

Who was the first president of the United States ? Who ha-^^e ^een hi» 
successors 1 

When did Washington become president ? Adams 1 &c. 

Events op the Revolutionary War. 

When was the Stamp Act passed? What other events took place b« 
fore the meeting of the first Continental Congress ? 

When did the Revolutionary War begin f 

What other events took place the same year ? 

"WTien was the Declaration oi' Independence made ? 

What battles in 1776'? In 1777'' In 1778? In 1779? In 1780 ' 
In 1781? 

When was the surrender at Saratoga ? At Yorktown ? 

Wlien was peace with Engbind, and independence acknowledged ? 

Chkonologt of Impeovements, &c. 

When and where was the first college in the Colonies founded ? 

What other colleges were founded in the 17th century ? 

When and where was printing introduced into the Colonies? 

When and where was the first newspaper published ? 

When and where was the first medical school established 7 

When and where was the first quarto Bible printed ? 

When was the first census of the United States taken? 

When was the first steamboat used on the Hudson ? 

When was the Erie Canal completed ? The Ohio Canal ? 

When were several important railroads opened ? 

When was the use of the magnetic telegraph introduced ? 

Distinguished Americans. 

Most of the men enumerated in the Table, in the 17th century, and some 
of those in the 18th, were born in England. Some who are classed aa 
warriors were known also as statesmen, and some classed as statesmeu 
were likewise distinguished as military commanders. 

The persons enumerated in the fourth column were men of science 01 
literature, physicians, historians, poets, artists, &c. 

Population of the United States. — Remarks. 

Which were the thirteen original States ? What States added ? 
From what, to what, number did the population of the United State* 
iiicrease from 1790 to 1860 ? 

From what, to what, number did the sit- ves increase in the same time ? 



CHRONOLOGY. .416 

In about how man}' years has the popuhition doubled 1 
How many post-offices were in the United States in 1790'? In 1860 ■? 
When were the first eonsiderabie raih-oads for conveying passengers 
Ojjened in the United States ? 

How many miles of railroad were in use in 1859 ? 

CHRONOLOGY. 

What is chronology? What is said respecting eras ? 
1. How did the Greeks compute time"? What is said of the Olym- 
piads'? 

fi How did the Romans reckon time '? How was their era designated I 

3. -What is said of the Christian era ? In what year of the world, ac- 
cording to different computations, did the birth of Christ take place ? Which 
is generally adopted in English literature ? Wlien did computation from 
the Christian era begin to be used ■? What is said of the Roman or Julian 
year ? How great a deviation from the true time had been occasioned 
in 1582 ? Wliat was done by Pope Grcgoiy XIII. 1 WTien was the New 
Style first used in England 1 What change was occasioned by it ? 

4. What is said of the era of the Hegira ? 

5. What era, next to the Christian era, is most used in this conntiy ? 

SACRED HISTORY. 

Ot what do the historical parts of the Bible chiefly treat '! What is 
the other principal source of information respecting the ancient history of 
the Israelites ? When does the Old Testament history end'? 

What is said of the descent of the Israelites 'i 

Why were they called Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews ■? 

What is related respecting their residence in Egypt? 

How long did they wander in the wilderness ? 

How long were they governed by Judges ? 

When was the most flourishing period of the ii^narchy? 

How long did the sceptre of Judah continue in"ie family of David ? 

What is said of the tendency of the Israelites to idolatry ? 

What is said of the history of the Ten Tribes subsequent to their 
captivity by Shalmaneser ? When did the Jews return from Babylon ? 

By whom were they afterwards governed ? When were they subiected 
to the Romans ? When was Jerusalem desti'oyed ? 

Chronological Table of the Kingdoms of Iseael and Judah 

How long did the kingdom of Israel continue undivided ? How long 
did the kingdom of Judaii continue ? 

What is said of Saul and his reign ? David ? Solomon '^ 

How many years did Saul reign ? David ? &c. 

Who was the first king of Judah ? Who the last ? 

What is said of Rehoboam, or of his reign ? Abijah ? &c. 

What prophets flourished between 1100 and 1000 years B. C.? 

Between 1000 and 900 ? Between 900 and 800 ? &.c. 



416 CHRONOLOGY. 

Chronological Table of the Kingdom of Israel, oe the 
Ten Tribes. 

How long did the kingdom of Israel continue ? 
Who was the first king 1 Who the last ? 

How lon<r did Jeroboam I. reiga 1 What is said of him and his reign 1 
Nadab ? &c. 
What is said of the history of the Ten Tribes after their captivity? 



Eras op Modern History. 

This Table exhibits some of the most important eras in Mod-em His 
torv, but the chronology of the rise and fall of states and empires may 
be best learned from the Chart of History. 

When was the New Empire of the West formed ? &c. 

What eras or events are mentioned in the 9th century 1 The 10th ? &c. 

Chronological Table of Inventions. 

When was gunpowder invented ? Printing 1 The solar system re- 
vived ? The telescope invented'? Thermometer'? Logarithms? The 
stiiim-engine '' Inoculation '? Stereotype printing ■? Vaccination ? The 
steuinboat'? Railroads? The magnetic telegraph ? 

What inventions or improvements were made in the 10th century? In 
&e llth? &c. 



THE END. 




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I1 



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TAGGAPvD & THOMPSON 

PUBLISH 

EATON'S COMPLETE SERIES 

STANDARD ARITHMETICS. 

ADAPTED TO THE BEST MODE OP INSTKUCTIOW. 

[USED IN THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCnOOLS.] 



I. Elaton's I?x'iiiiary Aj?itlim.etic 

II. Eaton's Intellectiial T^i-itliiaaetio. (In Press.) 

III. Eatoju's Oonxmon Scliool ^Vvitlinietic 

IV. Eatoii's Tx'eatise on. "Wi'itten. A.i'itliiixetic« 



THIS SEIlIilS IS DISTIXGUISIIED BY 

1. The thorough and scientific manner in wliich all the jjrinciples are developed 

and illustrated. 

2. The clearness, precision, and brevity of its rules and definitions. 
8. The logical and satisl'actory explanations. 

4. Tlic prominence of analysis throughout the series. 
6. The )jractical character of each book. 

6. The being baped upon tlie inductive and analytical plan, which teaches tbo 

pupil to think and keason. 

7. The mecl^anical style in which the books are manufactured. 



EATON'S NEW PEIMAEY AEITHMETIO. 

This is a course of Easy Lessons in Mental Arithmetic upon the Inductive 
Melkorl, adapted to the best jnode of Instruction in Primary Sclmols. This little book ia 
based upon the plan of Warren Colbuun's Intellectual Abithmetic. It is 
designed especially to render the study of numbers attractive and interkptinq 
to beginners. It forms that introduction to the study of Arithmetic which will be 
advantageously followed by any good Intellectual Arithmetic, but especially by 
Eaton's. The difliculties so often experienced, of investing the dry and abstruse 
science of numbers with suflicient interest to arouse and engage the minds of little 
children, are overcome by the use of this book. 

The varied and thorougli discussions of late, on the subject of pi'.imaey educa- 
tion, have developed many new ideas on methods of teaching in primary schools, 
and not less than in other branches, in that of Arithmetic. The author has availed 
himself of this knowledge, and it is conceded by all who have examined this hook, 
that it is the most interesting, practical, and PiiiLOSOPniCAL presentation of 
this subject to young minds that has ever been accomplished. 

TJic 01>ject Bletliod in Primary Instruction is more nearly approached 
in this book than in any other. The pupil must progress gradually and thoroitgldy, 
and a careful development of this subject by means of visible illustration must 
be resorted to. With this in view, this work has been liandsomely illu.strated 
with a large number of engravings drawn by a skilful artist. 

The numerical ickame is explained and referred to in several lessons. 

Copies sent for examination on receipt of five cents. 



EATON'S 
INTELLECTUAL AEITHMETIC. 

rOE PEIMAET AKD ADVANCED SCHOOLS. 

Am Intellectual Arithmetic, upon the Inductive Method, adapted to the 
improved modes of instruction in Primary and Common Schools, and in 
Academies; containing many original and practical forms of Analysis, ap- 
plied to a large variety of examples. About 170 pages. In Peess. 

The continued and increasing favor of teachers and school ofBcers towards 
Eaton's Standard Series of Arithmetics has led to the preparation of an 
Intellectital Arithmetic, by the same author, designed to take the place of 
Warren Colburn's First Lessons in this popular Series. 

An experience of nearly iive years in putting fortli Colburn's First Lessons 
as a part of the Eaton Series has demonstrated that, notwithstanding its old 
popularity (which is rather towards the system than the book), it is imperfect in 
some essential respects. The feeling has largely increased of late that Colburn 
does not supply the place for which it was originally intended, and that some im- 
provements upon it, to maintain the high character of the Standard Series of 
Arithmetics, was absolutely necessary. 

With this experience, Mr. Eaton has endeavored, in his new book, to improve 
upon the above work, not in changing the original plan, but in completing that 
plan by remedying its defects, and bringing the whole subject before the learner 
with all the improvements which the science of teaching has undergone since the 
appearance of Colburn. By this means, he completes the Standard Series o» 
Arithmetics, making it all his own, and imparts to it a wholeness and harmony 
which before was not fully achieved. 

Having so intimate a knowledge of the successes and failures of Colbitru's 
First Lesso;;s and the sources of them, he has been prepared to take advantage of 
them. 

It is believed that Eaton's Intellectual Arithmetic will prove to be a 
more perfect, comprehensive, and practical work of the kind than has ever yet 
appeared. Its arrangement will be strictly systematic, philosophical, and progres- 
sive. The main feature of the book will be its plan of inductive reasoning, fully 
carried out by dealing with simple firinciples in a full, concise, and logical system of 
analysis. 

The success which Eaton's Primary Arithmetic met with on its appearance 
and the steadily increasing demand for it throughout all the States, especially in 
those sections where primary instruction is receiving a large share of attention, 
has led to the hope that the Intellectual Arithmetic may be found equally 
attractive and full of merit, and as deserving of public favor as the Primary. 

No labor will be spared to make it the best Intellectual Arithmetic, both 
in the manner in which the subject is developed and in the matter which is pro- 
vided for the student to work upon. Those who are using any of Eaton's books, 
or Colburn's First Lessons, will do well to send for a copy of this book to ejcansine. 

Copie>> sent for examination on receipt of ten cents. 

lAQGARB & THOMPSON, 

21 Coruhlll. Boston. 



E ^ T o :isr's 

COMMON SCHOOL ARITHMETIC. 

FOR COMMON AND GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. 

A FtTLL COUKSE OF WRITTEN ARITHMETIC FOR COMMON AND GRAMMAR 

SfmooLS, combiniug Analysis and Synthesis, and adapted to the best mode of 
iniitruction. By James S. Eaton, Instructor in Phillips Academy, Andover, 
Mosa., and author of a Series of Arithmetics. 12mo. 312 pp. Half morocco. 

The appearance of Eaton's New Treatise on Written Arithmetic, about 
fc ur years since, was the cause of arousing the attention of many teachers to a 
more thorough, clear, full, and satisfactory treatment of the principles of iirith- 
metic as they are presented in the class-room. The tedious, wordy, innccurate 
books in arithmetic, which, absolutely for want of better, luid louy; been in use in 
our New England schools, with their crooked and knotty methods and explana- 
tions, were creating a distaste for this important branch of study. Eaton's 
Tkeatisi': was found to be a superior book, and specially adapted to use in High 
Schools and Academies, and iu Grammar and Common Schools of the first class. 
In these it has achieved a permanent circulation, which only a book of hi;j;!i iuerit 
could leach. For (he lower class of Grammar Schools, and many Common 
Schools, which for numerous reasons cannot maintain a hirfh rank, where a less 
extended but no less thorough and comi)lete course of Written Aritlimetic is 
needed, the author now prcsenrs TuR Common Scuool Arithmetic. Jt is in no 
way a revision of the '• fUEATiSE," but entirely distinct from that work. 1 he 
dcliuitioas and rules are substantially the same, while some of the explanations 
are more simplified. The examples it rontains are wholly different. Its general 
methods and character are of course similar. 

Eaton's Common School Arithmetic will be found to be distinguished in 
these particulars: — 

1. The Definitions, Rules, Explanations and Demonstrations are clear, brief, yet 
full, and accurate. 

2. Its arrangement is strictly progressive, philosophical and logical. 

3. The Inr^e variety and practical character of its examples^ piepared equally to 
discipline the mind of the learner, and to tit him for the practical o/ieratioiis of 
business life. 

4. The protninence given to Analysis throughout the work, thus leading the 
pupil to discover the reason for every step taken. 

5. The constant reference made by means of figures and letters back to first 
principles, thus showing the logical and dependent' connection of each successive 
topic, and giving to the pupil the benefit of a continual review. 

6. The character of the examples; they being so clearly stated that the pupil or 
teacher is never at a loss how to interpret their meaning. 

7. Valuable methods of shortening business operations are introduced. 

8. It is a Complete System oi- Written Arithmetic, sufficient for all 
practical business purposes. 

9. There is no Key of full solutions freely sold in the market, as there is to 
other Common School Arithmetics, to enable pupils to "go through" it without 
work. * 

10. A small part only of the answers are given, enough to lead the pupil fill be 
sliould he made to go alone; thus teaching self-reliance, and anticipatiny -lie 
arithmetic of practical business life. Other Common School Arithmetics ha? i all 
the answers given. 

11. The excellence of the mechanical style iu which it is mauufactui'ed 
[C?" Copies sent for examination on receipt of fifteen cents. 

Address, TAGGARD & THOMPSON, 

29 Coruliill, Boston. 



E A. T O M ' S 
NEW TREATISE ON WRITTEN ARITHMETIC. 



A Teeatise on AnixmiETic, coiDliinlng Analysis and Synthesis, adapted 
to the best mode of Instmction in Common Schools and Academies. By 
James S. Eaton, M. A., Instructor in Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. 
12mo. 360 pp. Half morocco. 

During the last five years, this hook has attained a high reputation among the 
lest Tcuuhers and educators of the United States. It is now used extensively in 
IJigh Schools, Academies, Grammar and Common Schools, of the first order. 
The distinctive feature of Eaton's Treatise is, that it coutains in one compact 
volume the whole suhject of Written Arithmetic, presented with fulness, scholarly 
clearners, accuracy, and conciseness. It is purely an Arithmetic, and not a frng- 
mentary cyclopedia of disconnected mathematics, like some Higher Arithmetics. 
It is a complete, scientific, practical, and philosophical treatise on pure Arithmetic, 
leaving other departments of mathematics to their appropriate hooks. Hundreds 
of recommendations might be presented in testimony of the excellent priicfical 
results of the use of this book; but the best proof is use Teachers are invited to 
examine it and use it, believing that its intrinsic merit can only be proved in this 
•nay. 

In this booh, only apart of the ansiuers are cii'' ' '■ 
ticipate practical hvsiness life. It is v/ell know 
through the hook," when all the answers aie gi 
problem in practical business. This book is supe 
in the foHovang respects : 

1. The accuracy, clearness, and brevity of the rules and definitions. 

2. The philosophical arrangement of topics, by which the explanation of every 

intricate principle is given before it is required for the solution of an ex- 
ample. 

3. The frequent reference baok tO first principles, by means of figures and letters, 

thereby saving repetition, and giving the scholar the benefit of a constant 
review. 

4. IXb practical 'C2iim:e. 

5. The cliaracter of the examples; they being so clearly stated that the pupil or 

teacher is never at a loss how to interpret their meaning. 

6. The exclusion from the body of the xoorh of all mathematicnl puzzles, a.-o6. of 

diamples depending upon Algebra or Geometry for their solution. 

7. The Completeness of the Work as a text-book for all grades of schools, particu- 

larly for High and Gravunar Schools, Academies and Normal Schools. 

Copies sent for examination on receipt of fifteen cents. 
Address, 

TAGGARD & THOMPSON, 

so Coruliill, BostOU 



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